...…in moments of repose their tone is soft and mellow; in full flood it is mellow and rich; and when filled with ferocity it is rich and loud (and of course ferocious!)....
(Paul Serotsky, Seen and Heard International)
Rachel Vernon - clarinet

Rachel Vernon has held the position of Principal Bass Clarinet in the NZSO since 1995. She has recorded for Radio New Zealand and Re-Sounz and performed as a soloist with the Wellington Chamber Orchestra and the Manawatu Sinfonia. 

Rachel studied in London with Antony Pay and freelanced with orchestras including Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Scottish Opera Orchestra.

She was Sub-Principal clarinet with the NZSO from 1989 - 1991.

In 2016 Rachel joined the Zephyr Wind Quintet in a series of concerts featuring NZ composers including the premiere of a new work by Leonie Holmes.
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Next concerts

Sunday, September 21 2025, 2:30pm - 4:30pm, Waikanae Memorial Hall

For this programme we are joined by four wonderful guest artists - Nick Walshe (clarinet), Justin Sun (bassoon), Alexander Hambleton (horn) and Oleksandr Gunchenko (double bass) - to present a programme enlivened by the varied timbres of wind instruments. Beginning with the Mozart String Quartet in B-flat K589 we move on to 'Serenata in vano' for Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Cello & Double Bass by Danish composer Carl Nielsen. This characterful work depicts a short and unsuccessful attempt at seduction. We finish with Schubert's mighty and virtuosic Octet, a work filled with jaunty dances, singable melodies and heart-rending moments. Tickets $40 Members, $50 Non Members, $10 Students.