Originally called the Christchurch Orchestral Society, the Canterbury Philharmonia began rehearsals in February 1952, with forty enthusiastic players under conductor Hans Colombi. The society was formed with the purpose of promoting, holding and and conducting regular rehearsals and concerts, with the hope that in so doing the society could also foster public interest in music. Over the years many significant musicians have conducted the orchestra including Frank John, Arthur Hart, Stephen Delaney, Tom Brown, John Emeleus and Graeme Wallis.
Christchurch trumpet player and teacher Mark Hodgkinson was appointed principal conductor in 1988. Currently about sixty members rehearse every Monday evening at the Christchurch Horticultural centre, preparing for the three concerts performed each year.
The Philharmonia provides adult non-professional players the opportunity to develop and extend their playing skills in a challenging but supportive orchestral setting. We also provide the opportunity for younger soloists to gain valuable performance experience in orchestral concerto playing.
The orchestra has great flexibility in its programming and offers its players and audiences a wide variety of repertoire. In recent concerts this has included works by Bach, Mozart, Dvorak, Beethoven, Copland, Britten and Lilburn.
For more on our history go to "A brief History of"
Principal Conductor
Mark Hodgkinson
Mark is the Principal Conductor of the Canterbury Philharmonia, Musical Director of Da Capo and Director of Notturno. He has guest-conducted the Christchurch and Nelson Symphony Orchestras, and the Christchurch and South Island youth orchestras.
Mark is also active as a freelance conductor/musical director for music theatre and opera, with appearances for Canterbury Opera, Perkel Opera, National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art, Christchurch Operatic and Canterbury Musical Theatre.
Mark studied with Vanco Cavadarski and Sir William Southgate amongst others. A scholarship from the Music Associates of Aspen and a study grant from Creative New Zealand allowed him to attend the Aspen Music Festival and school in 1995 where he undertook further studies with Murry Sidlin and conducted the Aspen Music School String Orchestra.
Mark is well known for his determined advocacy of New Zealand music and has many premieres to his credit. He is the recipient of an inaugural Arts Excellence Award from the Community Trust.
