Gemma New, the principal conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO), has been awarded the title of Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. This recognition is part of the King’s Birthday Honours and is for her contributions to music direction. New, a Wellington native, has been with the NZSO as an artistic advisor and principal conductor since 2022.
She found out about the honor while conducting concerts in Europe, including three performances with the BBC Philharmonic this week. New expressed her gratitude for the recognition and was pleased that the role of orchestral music in New Zealand, particularly the performances by NZSO musicians, was being acknowledged.
After her concerts with the BBC Philharmonic, New has performances scheduled in Germany and the United States. She will also be conducting at the prestigious BBC Proms in London in August.
New has also served as the music director for the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra in Canada for nine seasons until last month. In 2021, she was featured in The New York Times as part of a new generation of conductors making a significant impact in North America.
Her next concert with the NZSO is titled “Jupiter: Mozart & Copland” and will be held in Wellington, Hastings, Auckland, and Christchurch from September 19th.
Kirsten Mason, the acting chief executive of the NZSO, praised New as a talented and knowledgeable conductor who is passionate about orchestral music. She also noted that New’s concerts attract new audience members to the NZSO and strengthen the bond with existing audiences.
Mason added that the King’s Birthday honour will be celebrated by the entire orchestra and the music community. She also stated that New’s recognition will inspire young New Zealanders who aspire to become conductors.
Mason further mentioned that New is in high demand by prestigious orchestras worldwide and breaks new ground for a New Zealand conductor each year. The NZSO is eagerly awaiting her return in September to celebrate this remarkable achievement.
