‘One of auckland Choral’s most standout performances in 28 years’
John Stevenson, choir member
Paul Winter&Paul Halley’s radical Missa Gaia (Earth Mass) for soprano, choir and jazz ensemble published by Pelagos Music
Paul Winter’s radical Missa Gaia (Earth Mass) adeptly combines a variety of genres to create a musical spectacle that appeals to all. Premiered in 1981, it is a 20th century interpretation of the Mass, embracing the many voices of the earth, from jazz to the sounds of wolf, whale and lion. Conductor Brian Law is synonymous with the Missa Gaia and Auckland Choral is very excited to perform this work under his baton.
As an organisation dedicated to New Zealand music, we open this concert with a new commission from New Zealand composer Anthony Ritchie. Anthony is well-known at home and abroad and produces works that are engaging, energetic and beautifully crafted – qualities this new work for soprano, girls’ choir, chorus and organ achieves superbly.
Emma Roxburgh, Soprano
Jennine Bailey, Soprano
Auckland Choral
St Cuthbert’s College Song Squad
Junior Black Watch Singers
Brian Law, Conductor
Pipers Sinfonia:
Alison Dunlop, Oboe
Sarah Spence, Cello
Timothy Noon, Organist
Roger Manins, Soprano Saxophone
Olivier Holland, Acoustic Bass
Ron Samson, Drums
Kevin Field, Piano
Lullabies was commissioned by The Auckland Choral Society for their 2015 season, and will be premiered on 6th June, in The Holy Trinity Cathedral, with funding from Creative NZ. It is a cycle of six songs, to be performed without a break, to poems by Elena Poletti, a Dunedin-based poet. Lullabies are common to all cultures, and are richly varied in their themes and moods. These six lullabies traverse different perspectives, both adult and child. ‘Shush-a-shush’ has a parent calming her child to sleep through images of the sea and beach. In ‘Little One’ it is gentle rain than lulls the child to sleep. ‘Sounds of Penguins’ makes a comparison between little blue penguins under a house, and children busily preparing for bed. The moonlight, wind, waves and lighthouse all conspire to finally calm them down. In ‘The Nightsingers’ it is the sounds of tree-frogs, ruru (morepork), and cats that accompany the lullaby; they are presented one by one and then are combined in the coda. ‘Beddington’ is a frisky lullaby for children to sing, and including a round and a ‘Monster-Munch-Up’ chant. The final song ‘Hope of my heart’ reflects on a child’s future, and remembers the passing of a sister and child (represented in the song by the childrens’ voices as echoes). All the forces come together in this song, to round off the cycle.
Saturday 6 June 7.30pm
Holy Trinity Cathedral
Hi, I’m Nicola – Alto 2. I joined the choir 6 years ago and absolutely love it! For me, it is the perfect blend of people, community, fabulous music, the opportunity to perform, feeling uplifted every single rehearsal and a good dose of challenge (it’s tough getting all the pronunciations right, and actually learning the music!)
Jim Allardyce here from Whangarei. Commuting to Auckland for work, down on a Tuesday and back on a Friday, has opened up a new side to my social calendar. Rehearsals at the choir have become my weekly highlight forming a natural part of my week. Joining only this year, I remember going for my first visit to "check it all out" - I sat at the back amazed at the choir sight-reading Mendelssohn in German (as it was their first reading and performance of the piece). Very soon I was in the thick of it - rolling my r's in Mendelssohn's tongue with the other singers in my bass one section. My inaugural concert in the Auckland Town Hall was unforgettable as the choir was stupendous.
Colleen Elliott joined Auckland Choral in 1999. She comes from a musical background starting with piano at aged 7 which also included being a foundation member of the Whangarei Childrens Choir formed by her Mother in the mid 1950’s. Colleen passed LTCL performers in piano but never completed it as the desire to sing became more the focus and formal vocal training commenced.
