WELLSO Summer 2026
Rātā Studios School of Music will be hosting a three-day chamber and orchestral music programme in January 2026. We are excited to bring this opportunity back!
Players of all levels are welcome. The course is based on the principles of WELLSO (Wellington Late Starters’ Orchestra). The Chamber groups/sectionals will be organised according to experience and level of playing, but the Orchestra will be for all of the players and parts will be arranged accordingly so we can all enjoy playing together.
The programme will be hosted within Rātā’s modern facilities and practice rooms at Scots College. The cost will include all group tuition and sheet music, as well as lunches plus morning and afternoon tea and coffee during the weekend. Individual lessons will be available with the tutors during the programme, and a rota will be arranged nearer the time for those interested.
What will WELLSO Summer 2026 be about?
Following on from the success of the popular 2025 WELLSO Summer programme, we are pleased to announce details of the January 2026 summer programme.
Developing the popular theme of working with soloists, we will be looking at two areas this summer:
- Working with a top Wellington soloist on a movement of a concerto on their instrument.
- A whole new area of working with an opera singer! This will include some grand opera, Verdi/Puccini, etc., but we will also look at some earlier music to include recitative work. We will try to include a male voice and a female voice to give us the opportunity to do a duet too!
All instruments are welcome as always, and all levels at long as you can read music and have at least a basic to intermediate knowledge of your instrument, scales, etc. We cannot adapt parts for you if they are too hard.
We hope to see you there – it is going to be a fun Summer School.
If you are flying from outside of Wellington and are concerned about daily travel, we were able to arrange local players on the programme to give lifts every day in the summer and this worked very well. There is excellent and convenient accommodation at Victoria University as well as Wellington’s Hotels.
From participating in the WELLSO Summer programme my playing went to the next level…I had a one-on-one with one of the most respected Trombone players in NZ.
– Pete from Hamilton WELLSO Summer School 2017
Well prepared, well organised, social, supportive, and fun. Don’t just think about it – GO!
– Lynne, Violinist, WELLSO Summer School 2017
NB: Please email [email protected] to let him know what instrument you play, so he can sort out your music and any dietary requirements you may have to assist us with our menu planning.
Tutors
Mark Bobb
Artistic Director of Rātā Music School
| Timing | Start: Friday 16 January 2026 Finish: Sunday 18 January 2026 9am-5pm Friday-Sat; 9am-3pm Sunday |
|---|---|
| Location | Scots College Creative and Performing Arts Centre Music Rooms |
| Teacher | Mark Bobb and guest musicians for sectionals |
| Target Market | Adults |
| Price/Student (incl GST) | $495 Fee includes course tuition, morning and afternoon tea & lunches. |