Music Director - Orchestral Conductor - Arranger - Composer - Record Producer
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Gary Daverne
Music Director Emeritus - Auckland Symphony Orchestra


Shan Plays Gary

Shan Liu's new EP (extended play) recording release playing:
 Four Short Pieces for Piano, composed by Gary Daverne.

Release links (including YouTube) for Shan's EP: https://found.ee/ShanPlaysGary
Spotify Profile: https://open.spotify.com/artist/72gotOMt15CIPRGfaue7IL
Apple Profile: https://music.apple.com/nz/artist/shan-liu/1731232324
 
Shan Liu, 13 year old pianist, recipient of the 2023, Gary Daverne Classical
Music Award, presented by the Variety Artist Club of New Zealand (VAC) with
sponsor, Gary Daverne, Sunday 8th October 2023.
Video link of Shan Liu performing Grieg's Piano Concerto 1st movement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xBUOJpFIBs
 
Amalia Hall (violinist), recipient of the inaugural, ‘Gary Daverne Classical Music Award’,
with sponsor, Gary Daverne, at the Variety Artists Club (VAC) Awards evening, Sunday12 June 2022.

This award is for New Zealand artists who have excelled in Classical Concert Music,
as a vocalist, instrumentalist or as a conductor or music director.
Video link to Amalia receiving the award.
https://youtu.be/458NpFc4doE
 
Gary conducting the Auckland Symphony Orchestra at the 'Last Night of the Proms' concert
- Bruce Mason Centre Fri 18 & Sat 19 June 2021.
 

New Albums Released 2021
 
 
Available from
Marbecks Records www.marbecks.co.nz
or
Available online:
Click  https://smarturl.it/silver-fern to see all available links.

The sheet music, score and parts is available from my website:  www.garydaverne.gen.nz as a FREE pdf download.		   Kevin plays Gary, accordion music composed by Gary Daverne and performed by USA/New Zealand accordionist Kevin Friedrich. Includes the ANZAC Trilogy:

Available from
Marbecks Records www.marbecks.co.nz

Available online:
MusicForAccordion Click:
 

Albums Released 2020
     
Harley Plays Gary   Mary plays Gary
Harley plays Gary, accordion music composed by Gary Daverne and performed by New Zealand accordionist Harley Jones.

Available online:
Google Play link: Click
Tidal: Click
Deezer: Click		   Mary plays Gary, accordion music composed by Gary Daverne and performed by USA accordionist Mary Tokarski.

Available online:
Spotify
http://open.spotify.com/album/1vnLe1GwAeWCTsym9Vhzj6
Google Play link: Click
iTunes link: Click
Apple Music: Click
 
Viscount Treasures are a collection, by various New Zealand artists, of Gary Daverne’s favourite tracks that he produced for his own VISCOUNT record label, over 50 years as a record producer.

Available online:
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/5FvrZK9hwgis8mwoSRGvGF
iTunes
https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/viscount-treasures-taonga/1458720272		   Accordion music, composed by Gary Daverne, New Zealand’s most prolific composer and writer of music for the accordion. All performed by New Zealand champion accordionists, recorded at various venues over several years, with several archive tracks.

Available online:
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/album/4kPfOcyUZosgg55WjHlhIq
iTunes
https://music.apple.com/ca/album/koriana-new-zealand-accordion-music/1468047705
     
 
Where Two Oceans Meet (Cape Reinga) – Easy listening piano music. The turbulence of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean where they meet at the most northern tip of New Zealand at Cape Reinga, is one piece as the result of a successful collaboration between Gary and Royce.

Available online:
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/album/4nu7sQTXj91oJKxFRVGSjH
iTunes
https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/where-two-oceans-meet-cape-reinga/1462157166		   John Hobbs - A Man with a Mission. Double CD/Album. A musical story of adventure and love set in the Hokianga and Bay of Islands, far north regions of the North Island of New Zealand from 1821, leading up to the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PncXDyFHM8
"The New Zealand Song". Music: Gary Daverne. Words: Dorothy Tomlinson. This song is from the musical ...

View on Youtube

Woolston Brass - Silver Fern CD Video Clips
and
Gold Award competitors in the 2020 International Video Competition
& Promotion of Accordion Music by Gary Daverne.

Earlier Video Clips on Youtube

Gary Daverne - This is My Life


A pictorial slideshow looking at the illustrious life of New Zealand composer,
orchestra conductor and record producer, Gary Daverne ONZM

Auckland Symphony Orchestra (1975 - 2010)


The Auckland Symphony Orchestra – The first 35 years. A pictorial slideshow telling the history of the Auckland Symphony Orchestra, from the beginnings in 1975, under the guidance of its founder and music director/conductor, Gary Daverne ONZM.


The Gavin Marriott March (Gary Daverne): Performed by Woolston Brass conducted by Tyme Marsters. This world premiere performance was recorded and filmed by Alex Harmer (Radio New Zealand) on 16 March 2020 at the Woolston Brass Band Room, Christchurch, New Zealand.



New Zealand Landscapes: Panoramic pictures of New Zealand, set to the music of, The New Zealand Song, composed by Gary Daverne to words by Dorothy Tomlinson and performed live in concert, by the Auckland Symphony Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Gary Daverne.


Music from the recently released CD - Koriana

Koriana CD 2nd Rhapsody for Accordion and Orchestra by Gary Daverne was recorded at the Takapuna War Memorial Hall, North Shore, Auckland, New Zealand, 11th December 2016.
Soloist, Grayson Masefield performs with the North Shore Accordion Ensemble
conducted by Lionel Reekie.
Ensemble players left to right: Lian Jones, Campbell Bettridge, Alanah Jones, Jenna Murray, Kristina Roper, Stephanie Panzic, Catrina Lin, Alexandra Reekie.
Video courtesy of Bowden Hamilton.

Koriana CD Tango 130 – composed by Gary Daverne and performed by New Zealand world champion accordionist, Grayson Masefield. Video courtesy of Bowden Hamilton.


Koriana CD Musical Party by Gary Daverne (with accordion soloist Stephanie Poole and the Auckland Symphony Orch.) Performed at the the Auckland Town Hall, 11th November 2012.
Video courtesy of Bowden Hamilton.

Music from the recently released CD - Where Two Oceans Meet


Where Two Oceans Meet CD Where Two Oceans Meet (Cape Reinga) performed by Royce Creamer with dancers, Isabelle Bray and John-Stephen Daverne. Video courtesy of Bowden Hamilton.


Where Two Oceans Meet CD Daffodils (Royce Creamer – arr. Gary D.) performed by Royce Creamer, with dancer, Sasha Matsumoto. Video courtesy of Bowden Hamilton.


From the Podium book cover by Gary Daverne

FROM the PODIUM

After 40+ years of conducting orchestras, bands and choirs all around the world, Gary Daverne tells of some of the unplanned ‘things’ that happened while conducting from the podium, things the audiences and the players were generally unaware of.

Some are serious; some downright hilarious.

Included, are those thirty-five years of musical history of the Auckland Symphony, from the beginning in 1975, while he was Music Director/Conductor.

There are 300 pages, 77 photos plus a complimentary CD.

From the Podium (ISBN 978-0-473-32751-4) is available from most good book stores. RRP is NZ$42.

OR ORDER DIRECT

Buy direct and receive an autographed copy for only $30 (gst incl.)
plus $5 for postage in NZ.
  
Direct orders to: garydaverne@gmail.com with postal and contact details.

Payment can be made to BNZ Bank A/c: 02-0248-0099307-000


Daverne Crest

Daverne Family Crest

Motto: "He Keeps His Eyes On The Stars"


Gary Michiel Daverne, ONZM (born 26th January 1939 Auckland), is an internationally acclaimed, honoured and successful New Zealand musical arranger, conductor, director, composer and record producer, with many awards to his credit. 

He currently holds the title of Music Director Emeritus, of the Auckland Symphony Orchestra, the orchestra he founded in 1975 and remained resident music director/conductor for 35 years, retiring in 2010 handing the baton over to a younger maestro.

Since retirement, Gary has gone back to his ‘pop’ and ‘rock ‘n roll’ roots as a record producer, where he is now producing new recording projects mainly with young talent and digitally re-mastering for archive purposes, recordings that he produced in earlier years, mainly in the 60’s and 70’s.  These are mainly for Internet re-release on his Viscount label, through Amplifier.co.nz.  There have been some hard copy limited edition releases for collectors.

During 2014/15 period, Gary musically directed three very successful children’s musicals, two of which he had composed the music for, some 40 years ago but recently revised and updated. These were:
Robyn Hood – Outlaw Princess (words by John Reynolds) and Cats of Ponsonby (words and story by Ray Prowse) along with The Rockin’ Tale of Snow White. See reviews.

Recent compositions include:
Auckland March. (see video), Silver Fern March,
2nd Rhapsody for Accordion and Orchestra

Gary has conducted many major orchestras around the world and is still involved with orchestras as a guest conductor and as an arranger and composer.

As a composer, he has composed music for symphony orchestras, brass and military bands, children's songs and musicals, with more than 500 television and radio advertising jingles, film soundtracks and many pop songs.  Gary is New Zealand's most prolific composer and arranger of music for the accordion.  As a record producer he has released some forty albums achieving one Platinum and two Gold records.


Download album
Link to iTunes to purchase / sound samples

Pirates of the Carribean Album cover
You tube link Pirates of the Carribean, with over 97 million views as of March 2024.


Picture of Auckland Symphony Orchestra performing Pirates of the Carribean, Auckland Town Hall, conducted by Gary Daverne.


Gary in concert at the Auckland Town Hall, conducting 'Pirates of the
Caribbean' with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra.  November 2012.

President, Primus Ikaalinen TV Show competition, Finland
Gary representing New Zealand, as the President of the six-member International
Jury, at the famous, Primus Ikaalinen TV Show competition, which is part of the
Sata-Hame Soi Accordion Festival in Ikaalinen, Finland. June 2011


Gary and high-ranking dignitaries at the Cao Jun Art Museum opening, Wuxi, China,
where Gary was a VIP guest speaker. May 2011

For CD Track Listings and Sound Samples

RECENT AWARDS

Music Director Emeritus

Certificate presented in March 2011
Music Director Emeritus Gary Daverne

Benny Award

On Wednesday evening, 27 October 2010, at the Pump House on Auckland's North Shore, Gary, was recipient of the prestigious 'Benny' award, the highest honour that can be awarded to any entertainer in New Zealand.
 
benny award
The 'Benny', awarded each year from the Variety Artists Club (VAC), is for services to entertainment in the fields of Music, Musical Theatre, Acting and Film and is awarded to an entertainer or someone in the industry who has excelled or contributed to the industry above the "norm".

This major award is named after a famous NZ magician Edgar Benyon who received the first award in 1969.

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Companion of North Shore City

Companion of North Shore City Presentation - Mayor & Gary Daverne

Mayor of North Shore City Andrew Williams presenting the Companion of North Shore City Award to Gary Daverne ONZM. This prestigious award was presented on the 14th September 2010, 'for exceptional service to the North Shore Community benefiting present and future generations of the Auckland region'.
Companion of North Shore City certificate
This is very special award is presented only occasionally, not annually.

To view other awards click here

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Photos from 14 November 2010 Free Family Concert, Auckland Town Hall

Gary Daverne Announcing
Gary Daverne announcing to the audience.

Angelina & Gabriella Witten-Hannah
Identical twins, sopranos Angelina & Gabriella Witten-Hannah in concert.

Gary Daverne congratulating Angelina & Gabriella Witten-Hannah
Gary congratulating the twins Angelina & Gabriella.

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'Last Night of the Proms 2010' at the Bruce Mason Centre - Takapuna - Auckland


For the Finale, the balloons are falling.

2010 Last Night at the Proms
The Auckland Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gary Daverne with the Auckland
Symphony Chorus conducted by Peter Thomas

2010 Last Night of the Proms
The Auckland Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gary Daverne with the Doran
Gregory Irish Dancers.

Last Night of the Proms
The Auckland Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gary Daverne with Pipe Major
Kerry Ballantyne and the City of Sails Pipe Band.

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Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships, Bruce Mason Centre, North Shore City
25-29 August 2009

Stephanie Poole & the Auckland Symphony Orchestra
Stephanie Poole performing with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra (ASO)
performing Oblivion by Astor Piazzolla at the Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna.
New Zealand Accordion Orchestra conducted by Gary Daverne
New Zealand Accordion Orchestra (NZAO) - Conducted by Gary Daverne
performing
Invercargill March by Alex Lithgow
New Zealand in Song arranged by Gary Daverne
Musical Party by Gary Daverne (dedicated to Silvio De Pra)
at the Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna.

World Accordion Orchestra III
Conducting the World Accordion Orchestra III at the 2009 Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships, 147 accordionists from 14 nations.
World Accordion Orchestra III
World Accordion Orchestra III
World Accordion Orchestra III conducted by Gary Daverne. This photo was published as a centre-fold in the Finnish Accordion Institute Magazine.

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November 2009 concert, Auckland Town Hall
Gary Daverne in concert with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Town Hall, November 2009.

Auckland Symphony Orchestra
2009 Christmas Carols concert with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra and the Combined Pacific Island Church Choirs, conducted by Gary Daverne, played to a capacity audience at the Auckland Town Hall.

Santa
Santa wanted to take over, but Gary wasn't too keen!

Auckland
Gary slinks offstage while Santa 'takes over'

REVIEW

'Last Night of the Proms'

Bruce Mason Centre - Takapuna
20/21st June 2009

I did not go to The Last Night of the Proms with any thought of writing a review, so I took no notes but just threw myself into the whole occasion, together with the rest of the boisterous sell-out audience - with the result that my mind is a blur, having been battered into submission by the barrage of music and humour, once again concocted by Musical Director, Gary Daverne for his Auckland Symphony Orchestra and the North Shore 100 Voice Chorale and Friends.

Frankly, everyone seems to be 'doing' Last Night of the Proms these days, but none like the ASO. Whilst there was the usual sprinkling of patriotic numbers such as 'I Vow to Thee My Country', 'There'll Always Be An England' and 'Flower of Scotland', it was like no other Last Night that I've ever been to. Indeed until the final quarter-hour or so one could be forgiven for thinking that one was at a cross between the Royal Command Performance and the Crazy Gang.

The Orchestra was, of course, in fine fettle and Gary at his most effervescent, while the Choir, shadow conducted by Peter Thomas, entered wholeheartedly into the mischievous spirit of things. To attempt a musical critique, particularly as a non-musician in my own case, would be to miss much of point of the afternoon.

The audience, many bedecked in flags, tinsel wigs, fancy dress and painted faces, and armed with hooters and streamers, know what to expect on these occasions, this the ninth consecutive year. They were duly treated to a succession of splendid and, in some cases, unlikely cameo features.

The evergreen Max Cryer was as immaculate and humourous as ever with his 'Little List' from the Mikado, accordionist Tracy Collins kept the pace going with some Irish sing along numbers and her impish, virtuoso playing, while pianist, Deryn Trainer gave a fine rendition of 'The Eve of Destruction' from 'War of the Worlds' and an Elton John selection.

Surely a Proms' audience have never been confronted (or do I mean affronted?) by such an outrageous 'Sweet Transvestite', Keith Adams, brilliantly portraying the hit number from the musical, 'The Rocky Horror Show'. Soprano, Louise Malloy eventually brought us back to sanity, leading the audience in the traditional 'Rule Britannia'.

Gary Daverne is a master at putting an entirely fresh show together each year - everything from Gilbert & Sullivan and 'Lord of the Dance' with the dazzling Irish Dancers to 'Starlight Express' and 'The Dambusters March' - not forgetting 'Highland Cathedral' and 'Scotland the Brave' by the City of Sails Pipe Band. Next time Gary, warn the audience that you are going to play 'You'll Never Walk Alone' and we'll all bring our scarves!

It was a wonderful afternoon's entertainment from beginning to end, but my lasting impression will be of the final ten minutes when the balloons descended from the ceiling, the hooters, streamers and poppers were let off at full force, the audience were on their feet, and the whole theatre was one huge party - what a crescendo of colour, sound and sheer exuberance!

BOB DAVIS
June 2009


Gary with Tracey Collins, the Auckland Symphony Orchestra and the 100 Voice North Shore Chorale


Last Night of the Proms finale.



Earlier Reviews



Earlier Reviews

A Rodney Times review featuring the Auckland Symphony Orchestra with Dame Malvina Major is now available to view.

View the full review here

 
 

China Tour 2007


The following is a report from CCTV after the orchestra's first concert in Beijing

The Auckland Symphony believes "Music should be fun and enjoyed by players and audiences alike." It clearly demonstrated that philosophy at its Chinese debut at Beijing's Century Theater on Saturday afternoon. The concert raised money for students in the poverty-stricken areas of China.

Auckland Symphony enjoys a loyal following and fine reputation for its performances of popular classics and film music. Their repertoire features the theme from the blockbuster movie "Lord of the Rings" which was shot in New Zealand.

It's said music knows of no boundary. It's the perfect bridge to unite people from different cultures, languages and background. The Auckland Symphony Orchestra brought that friendship and good will to China. The Chinese love song "The Moon Speaks For My Heart" is a good example.

Beijing is the first of three charity concerts. The others are in Shanghai, and Shijiazhuang to raise money for the "Mountain Flower Project," which helps children in poverty-stricken areas of China get an education.

 
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