Former student’s composition premieres with New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
Posted on June 26, 2025
Former Macleans College student Wayne Gao (Snell House 2019 - 2023) is an aspiring composer and conductor. He is currently studying for a conjoint of music and computer science at the University of Auckland.
In late 2024, Wayne conducted the premiere of his composition A Nightingale in the Darkness, written for string orchestra. The performance featured members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) and took place at the CANZ Composer Workshop, held at Wellington’s Michael Fowler Centre. The piece later received its European premiere in Lithuania, performed by the St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra.
Wayne’s orchestral work Azathoth has been selected as a finalist in the 2025 Todd Young Composer Awards. These awards offer young New Zealanders the opportunity to have their compositions workshopped and performed by the NZSO, and professionally recorded by RNZ Concert. Azathoth will be premiered by the NZSO in September.
In addition to his compositional achievements, Wayne is currently an NZSO Conducting Fellow. In this role, he works alongside the orchestra under the mentorship of Hamish McKeich and James Judd.
Macleans College looks forward to following Wayne’s evolving career in music.
