Gary has held the position of Musical Director of the Auckland Symphony Orchestra, since its foundation, in 1975.

As an international conductor, Gary has conducted some of the world's major orchestras including London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Turkish State Symphony Orchestra of Adana, the Orchestra Esproarte in Portugal and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.

Conducting Highlights

• In 1975 was appointed Musical Director for the 1975 New Zealand Waitangi Day Celebration attended by her Majesty the Queen of England and other members of the British Royal Family.
• In 1988, conducted at all the major concert halls in Mainland China.
• In 1990, conducted extensively throughout America including New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
• In 1992 he conducted concerts in Hawaii, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Northern Italy.
• In 1993, conducted a premiere performance of his, A Pocket Overture, at the Royal Festival Hall, London.
• In 1993, conducted a radio broadcast recording for Stuttgart Radio, Germany.
• In 1994 he conducted a concert tour of 20 concerts on the north east coast of America, playing in Toronto, New York, Boston, Washington, Albany and a few smaller centres like Lake Placid, Hudson and Lake George.
• In 1994, two concerts in Turkey with the State Symphony Orchestra of Adana where two of his original works were performed, Rhapsody for Accordion and Orchestra and Concert Overture "Youth of Auckland".
• In 1995, conducted the London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) at Orchestrelle '95 in Christchurch Park, Ipswich, England.
• In 1996, conducted the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra in Christchurch's outdoor spectacular, 'Classical Sparks' concert, to an audience of over 120,000 people.
• In 1997, Musical Director for the Military Tattoo in New Plymouth with a cast of over 1500, involving the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Bands, 160 pipers, including the Band of the Black Watch, local brass bands, orchestra and a 300 voice choir. Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture was the real show stopper played by 240 brass and wind players and the Army heavy artillery.
• In 1997, conducted a subcription series of concerts with the Taiwan Symphony Orchestra in Taiwan, symphony concerts in Jakarta, Indonesia and four concerts in Kuala Lumpur, with the National Symphony Orchestra of Malaysia, in a programme of film and show music.
• In 1998 conducted the Royal Belgian Guides Harmony Orchestra, in Brussels, to a capacity audience.
• In August 1999 Gary was the first New Zealander to be invited to China to conduct the prestigious Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.

As well as his overseas travels, Gary also conducts youth orchestras, music schools, community orchestras and stage shows in many parts of New Zealand.

He was invited to be guest conductor of "Rhapsody for Accordion and Orchestra" at the International Piano Accordion Competition and Festival in New York (August 1988) and at the Prize giving of the Coupe Mondiale International Accordion Solo Competition held in Germany in 1990. Gary Daverne has performed this work over 120 times world-wide, usually with soloist Harley Jones.