'The closest sound there is to the human voice': Inside the life of an NZSO violinist 9 minutes to read Carly is a weekend writer for the Bay of Plenty Timescarly.gibbs@nzme.co.nz@ Bay_Times By Carly Gibbs Gregory Squire knows a few aspiring violinists might be deflated to hear he didn't find learning the instrument "that hard". He laughs when I say that might create jealousy, agreeing "a lot" struggle. "It's a big challenge starting off." The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) first violinist grew up in Paengaroa near Te Puke and had a high-flying international career before coming home 22 years ago.