"Forget what you have heard about modern composition/art music being a tuneless music, this is music bursting with life: joyous, demanding, exploratory, perplexing, occasionally irritating and phenomenally generous in its rewards."

Martin Osborne of the Capital Times reviewing 175 East in Wellington 19/08/06

A message from the players of 175 East:

"James Gardner has officially announced that he will be stepping down from directing 175 east. James gave his farewell speech after the Auckland concert on April 11th, 2010.

James has been a stalwart co-founder of the group. His direction, energy, friendship and passion for the music, whether his own or of others, has been unfailing. Details of the next 175 east concert will be out shortly."

175 East is Auckland's only professional contemporary music ensemble, founded in 1996.

The group has two main objectives. First, to provide a platform for high quality professional performances of works by young, emerging and established New Zealand composers. Second, to present new and challenging works from overseas to New Zealand audiences.

The ensemble has also commissioned and premièred new works by New Zealand composers such as Helen Bowater, Chris Cree Brown, Phil Brownlee, Rachel Clement, Lyell Cresswell, Phil Dadson, James Gardner, Neville Hall, Ross Harris, Samuel Holloway, Dorothy Ker, Dylan Lardelli, Michael Norris, John Psathas, John Rimmer, Jeroen Speak and Chris Watson.

In 2003, 175 East was awarded the CANZ/KBB Citation for Services to New Zealand Music. 175 East has a MySpace page here.