City of Dunedin Choir

Rowan sings Ode to Joy

2012-01-28T21:07:00.003+13:00

Beethoven's 9th Symphony like you've never heard it before!

Bolero at Copenhagen Railway Station

2012-01-12T14:39:00.001+13:00

The best-ever flash mob ... simply enjoy!!

As one of the first professional symphony orchestras ever Copenhagen Phil (Sjællands Symfoniorkester) did a flash mob at Copenhagen Central Station on May 2nd 2011 playing Ravel's Bolero. Conductor is Jesper Nordin.

How to sing

2012-01-09T13:41:00.001+13:00

By and large choral societies like the City of Dunedin Choir consist of members who are untrained singers, singing for the joy of singing, and the friendship of people sharing an activity they love. Choir directors realise this and do their best to guide singers to achieve a good quality sound, but this guidance can never take the place of individual voice tuition.

There is no requirement for singers to attend professional voice tuition classes, but these days there are wonderful vocal technique resources freely available online, that singers can use to guide them towards singing better. If you already love singing, it follows logically that you will love singing better even more!

Here are some links to good quality "how to sing" resources you might find useful:

Youtube playlist of Alexander Massey's "How to Sing" series: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL35CB4D5C3385C594&feature=plcp

Singing teacher (and Virtual Choir member) Henny De Snoo-van Breugel has created a Vocal Technique Tips site with lots of information and tips to help you improve your singing. https://sites.google.com/site/vocaltechniquetips/

David Burchell (choir director/conductor) is always telling us to smile when we sing - very good advice. This is what Henny says about singing with an open throat:

"Opening your throat is not just about relaxation. There is more you need to do to give your vocal folds as much room as possible.One of the best ways to give your vocal folds room is SMILE!

When you open your throat like this, you open your false vocal folds. By doing that you allow you vocal folds (the ones you sing with) to move more freely. Your breathing becomes more effective too."

The Vocal Technique Tips website has been set up specifically for the Virtual Choir 3 project, but it is an awesome resource for any singer, and it continually has more useful content added.

Here's another interesting tip from the same website:

"There are some do's and dont's when you are suffering from hoarseness or a breathy voice:

1. Drink a lot of water!

2. Give your voice some rest

3. Do NOT use any stuff that has menthol in it! This candy may taste good and gives you the feeling that is helps your throat but it will increase the swelling of your vocal cords and the tissue around it! Because menthol dries out the tissues in your throat, these tissues will react by producing more swelling and mucus. Your voice will only deteriorate!"

Celebrating 150 years in 2013

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The City of Dunedin Choir will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2013 and we are planning a

FESTIVAL OF CHORAL CELEBRATION.

The Festival includes concerts, a newly commissioned work and the publication of the Choir’s history. The major celebrations will occur at Labour Weekend when we’ll raise the roof with a Massed Choir Concert. Everyone is invited to join us!

Sign up to the mailing list for news of our exciting choral festival season. Send an email to 150@cityofdunedinchoir.org.nz with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

Are you ready for VC3?

2011-12-26T20:16:00.001+13:00

Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir 3 project has been launched! It's a great opportunity to join thousands of other singers from around the world in singing the same song together in one huge virtual choir.

If you joined the VC2 choir a year ago, be sure not to miss VC3 - it is even easier this time with online resources to help you sing your best, and a much improved interface for you to practice and record your voice.

The song for VC3 is Eric Whitacre's 1995 composition "Water Night":

Night with the eyes of a horse that trembles in the night,
night with eyes of water in the field asleep
is in your eyes, a horse that trembles,
is in your eyes of secret water.
Eyes of shadow-water,
eyes of well-water,
eyes of dream-water.
Silence and solitude,
two little animals moon-led,
drink in your eyes,
drink in those waters.
If you open your eyes,
night opens, doors of musk,
the secret kingdom of the water opens
flowing from the center of night.
And if you close your eyes,
a river fills you from within,
flows forward, darkens you:
night brings its wetness to beaches in your soul.

Singing teacher (and Virtual Choir member) Henny De Snoo-van Breugel has created a Vocal Technique site with lots of information and tips to help you improve your singing.

Thank you for the music

2011-12-14T11:12:00.000+13:00

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

"Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing; thanks for all the joy they're bringing"
- in the words of Abba

City of Dunedin Choir had a brilliant choral season, performing a wide range of works

Large work - Bach's Mass in B Minor
Small work - the Argentinian national anthem
New work - Gareth Farr's Kaitiaki
Difficult work - Walton's Belshazzar's Feast
Old work - Beethoven's Sympnony No. 9
Fun work - the Last Night of the Proms concert

and to top it all, last night,

Favourite work - Handel's Messiah

At the final rehearsal on Monday evening I was really impressed with Anna Leese (what's not to like!) and so, tweeting with Anna yesterday morning before the Messiah performance, I complimented her on having learnt the entire Messiah off by heart. Her response was that it makes it easier to "sing the message"! Judging from the review and the standing ovation from the audience, we must have been successful in singing the message last night.

Here is some feedback from patrons at the Messiah in the Regent:

"That was great! Very good; enjoyed it very much! Now we've had Messiah, Christmas can begin. Must go and get a tree tomorrow."

"The best Messiah I've heard in all my years in Dunedin! The choir was excellent - when the conductor shows you to... [hand gestures] you know, like "shut up" then everyone does, there's not a note out of place. It was brilliant!"

"absolutely electrifying"

From Stella Cullington: "As I’m not into twittering or Facebook I just wanted to give my thoughts as a member of the audience (having missed most rehearsals). The venue made for a very different and pleasant change. Sitting in the Star Circle I felt it was so much more intimate, and the closeness to the orchestra and choir made me feel part of the performance. When I could refrain from following the alto line I really enjoyed hearing the Tune! The sopranos were outstanding and so clear and accurate. The lightness and precision of the more difficult choruses were excellent. And of course Anna Leese (sop) was the beautiful icing on the cake. Well done!!"

Were you at the performance last night? What did you think? Please leave a comment - we love to get feedback from our patrons.

Standing ovation for 'Messiah'

2011-12-14T08:52:00.002+13:00

What is it I wonder, that makes people sit for two and a-half hours, listening so intently to Handel's most famous oratorio Messiah, written in just three weeks in 1741.

"Christmas just wouldn't be the same without attending a performance of Messiah," one patron told me.
City of Dunedin Choir and Southern Sinfonia shifted their two-yearly performance of Messiah to the Regent Theatre this year, and the very well-filled venue created a different view and atmosphere, but the familiar choruses and arias certainly rang out loud and true last evening, as Christ's life on earth was outlined in music, and the final Amens were followed by tumultuous applause and standing ovation.

David Burchell conducted magnificently from the harpsichord, with a wise choice of tempi. The 29-member baroque orchestra excelled in their response. The choir's performance, with several choruses from memory, was very impressive and disciplined, despite a little under-weight in the tenor section.

Strong soprano tone reached their pinnacle in the Hallelujah Chorus, and exciting strength and verve from all sections was accorded the big choruses such as Lift Up Your Head.

The three choruses in the "Agony of the Cross" section were delivered with clarity and particularly fine nuance.
Soprano Anna Leese, now well entrenched in a successful international career, was home to perform. The voice is noticeably maturing and rich and all her arias were exquisite with the finest legato tone. Come Unto Him was stunningly performed - so liquid and pure through subtly embellished phrases.

Mezzo Wendy Doyle (Wellington) was successful in a convincing delivery from a particularly low timbre register, and young tenor Cameron Barclay (Auckland) brought clear diction and sincerity to his solos.
Bass Chalium Poppy (Tauranga) performed with confidence and strength although was not always technically secure.

- By Elizabeth Bouman, Otago Daily Times 14 December 2011

The Flash Mob Video

2011-12-12T23:18:00.001+13:00

Thanks to Steve Ting for filming City of Dunedin Choir and Southern Sinfonia players at our "flash mob" event on Saturday 10 December at Wall Street mall. Enjoy!

Listen to the Channel 9 interviews with Philippa and Deborah at the flash mob event on the Channel 9 website...

The Language of Music

2011-12-12T13:39:00.001+13:00

Christmas is coming, and with it Handel’s Messiah. Today I’m celebrating them, and my own 250th column. And since one pleasure of writing the column is following a train of thought into areas of my ignorance, I’ve consulted a qualified friend, Donald Cullington.

ABCDEFG(and H)
Why are the notes named by letters, and why these letters? The earliest names in European music to be written down were not letters, but words or syllables: ut re mi fa sol la. These were the first syllables of the six lines of the Latin hymn Ut queant laxis. Each successive line began a step higher, giving a six-note series or scale. Guido d’ Arezzo founded this notation, or solmization. Letters took over, giving fixed not relative pitch. A-G are not the only letter-names: in Germany ‘B’ = B flat and ‘H’ = B natural, which is how Liszt could compose a fantasy and fugue on the name B-A-C-H.

From pitch to length
Notes lengthen from crotchet to breve, both names reaching Middle English from French. But breve means ‘ brief’, which it was once but now isn’t. For shorter notes, a crotchet divides into quavers. They “shake, tremble, or trill”, rapidly. But then the OE base-word divides into semi-, demi-semi-, and hemi-demi-semi-quavers, larger and larger names for smaller and smaller fractions, by absorbing words for “half” from other languages. The system of the signs has the accretive quaintness of generations of musical life and language invention.

Expression
Many marks of expression come from Italian: forte, piano, affettuoso, allegro, andante (“walking pace”), including the complex fuga (fugue, because it “chases”) or the mysterious stretto (“tight”). Did other language-groups feel shut out? German composers pointedly put their expressional guidance in German: maessig bewegt, “at a moderate tempo”. It does make sense to guide your singers in words of their own tongue, as Britten does. However, composers may transliterate their words, so that the sounds remain but not the script, as in Arvo Pärt’s bogoroditse dyevo radujsja. The Russian sounds cacophonous, but only till you hear it or better still sing it. It’s his tender, uprushing version of the Hail Mary, written for the choir of King’s College, Cambridge. Oh to be there at this season!

Instruments
If nothing else could hook a child on music, it would be the curious beauty of musical instruments; lumps of wood or metal making glorious sounds. Their names are a delight too. Take wind instruments. Trombone is Italian for big trumpet. The racket, racket or raggett has cylinders drilled inside a chamber to get the length needed for deep notes. It sounds like a bee in a jamjar; not that far from a kazoo, named from its gawky noise. The liquid majesty of an oboe (hautbois, French for “high or deep wood”) comes from the same physics as these superseded or comical contraptions. An illustrated history of musical instruments is a most satisfying book.

It is a language
Deryck Cooke, in his book The Language of Music (the Cooke-Booke) expounds the idea that music itself is a language. It “speaks” to us. Music makes sorrow bearable (Gorecki, Britten, blues). It charms and soothes the savage breast. Music enhances joy (calypso, Schubert, Bach). If we hear it or perform it together, we share its language. All this, and more, is waiting in the City Choir’s Messiah, that work which Handel wrote in 24 days, premiered in Dublin in 1742. It’s in the Regent Theatre this year, on Tuesday 13 December.

By John Hale, wordwaysdunedin@hotmail.com

Flash mob!

2011-12-10T16:00:00.001+13:00

Members of City of Dunedin Choir and Southern Sinfonia surprised shoppers in Dunedin's Wall Street Mall at 12:30pm today with a "flash mob" rendition of two choruses from Handel's Messiah - "Glory to God" and "Hallelujah!". (We hope to bring you a video in a couple of days.)

While the players performed the recitatif leading up to the "Glory" the singers magically appeared on the walkway and staircase, and then we let rip! The photos were taken just before we started singing. It was very exciting, and at the end of it all there was a most appreciative round of applause from the shoppers - yay!!!

Don't miss the concert on Tuesday, 7:30pm in the Regent Theatre!
Thanks to Lynda Jackson's husband for providing these lovely photos!

Chorus for the King of glory

2011-12-09T14:14:00.001+13:00

Lift up your heads, O ye gates;
and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors;
and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
the Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates;
and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors;
and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of glory.
Psalm 24:7-10

Another uplifting chorus from Handel's sacred oratorio Messiah (HWV 56) performed by City of Dunedin Choir and Southern Sinfonia, conducted by David Burchell, on 11 December 2007 in the Dunedin Town Hall. Hear this chorus again on 13 December in the Regent Theatre - tickets are on sale now!

Chorus for good tidings

2011-12-08T15:23:00.001+13:00

O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion,
get thee up into the high mountain.
O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up
thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid;
say unto the cities of Judah, behold your God!
O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion,
arise, shine, for thy light is come,
and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
Isaiah 40:9; 60:1

Another uplifting chorus from Handel's sacred oratorio Messiah (HWV 56) performed by City of Dunedin Choir and Southern Sinfonia, conducted by David Burchell, on 11 December 2007 in the Dunedin Town Hall. Hear this chorus again on 13 December in the Regent Theatre - tickets are on sale now!

Chorus to make all alive

2011-12-07T08:33:00.001+13:00

Since by man came death, by man came also the
resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ
shall all be made alive.
1 Corinthians 15:21-22

Another beautiful chorus from Handel's sacred oratorio Messiah (HWV 56) performed by City of Dunedin Choir and Southern Sinfonia, conducted by David Burchell, on 11 December 2007 in the Dunedin Town Hall.

Hear this chorus again on 13 December in the Regent Theatre - tickets are on sale now!

Chorus will break their bonds

2011-12-06T15:28:00.001+13:00

Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away
their yokes from us.
Psalm 2:3

Another chorus from Handel's sacred oratorio Messiah (HWV 56) performed by City of Dunedin Choir and Southern Sinfonia, conducted by David Burchell, on 11 December 2007 in the Dunedin Town Hall.

Hear this chorus again on 13 December in the Regent Theatre - tickets are on sale now!

Chorus to delight

2011-12-04T21:48:00.001+13:00

He trusted in God that He would deliver Him:
Let Him deliver Him, if He delight in Him.
Psalm 22:8

Another chorus from Handel's sacred oratorio Messiah (HWV 56) performed by City of Dunedin Choir and Southern Sinfonia, conducted by David Burchell, on 11 December 2007 in the Dunedin Town Hall.

Hallelujah! Dunedin

2011-11-30T15:17:00.001+13:00

Hallelujah! Dunedinites, you have another great opportunity to hear Handel's glorious oratorio, Messiah on Tuesday 13 December, 7:30 pm, in the Regent Theatre.

Extra, extra! Dunedin's beloved Anna Leese will sing the soprano solo role. Get your tickets now from TicketDirect online or at the Regent.

Here is the Hallelujah! chorus from Handel's sacred oratorio Messiah (HWV 56) performed by City of Dunedin Choir and Southern Sinfonia, conducted by David Burchell, on 11 December 2007 in the Dunedin Town Hall.

From the Knox Church Choir Pews

2011-11-24T14:07:00.001+13:00

Advent is upon us, so step away from the frantic build up to Christmas which we all get involved in and come along and enjoy some Christmas music.

Advent Processional Carols
7.00 pm, Sunday, 27 November 2011
Knox Church, George Street
Knox Church Choir with the Sinfonia Brass present music from the 13th cent to 20th century as part of the traditional Advent Processional Carol Service.
Music by Praetorius, Mendelssohn, Bruckner, Kodaly, Karl Jenkins.

Nine Lessons and Carols
7.00 pm, Sunday, 18 December 2011
Knox Church, George Street
The choir will present traditional carols and music by Stravinsky, Madden, Shaw, Tchaikovsky, and Britten as part of the evening service.

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, 11.30 pm
The Choir will sing carols from 10.50 pm

The Knox Junior Choristers are practising hard for their Christmas Recital. Take a break from your daily toil and come and support them as they share a little bit of Christmas joy.

Art Gallery Recital
12.30 pm, Thursday, 22 December 2011, Art Gallery, Octagon
Gold coin donation
The Knox Church Junior choristers will present a programme of traditional carols and music for the season.

Another part of the Knox Church music programme is the now well established Thursday lunchtime recitals. During December our organists and organ pupils will be presenting a feast of music for Advent.

Lunchtime Recitals
12.15 pm (usually finishes at 1 pm)
Knox Church, George Street

1 December: Music for Advent I presented by Peter Stockwell, Karen Knudson and Rhys Thorn

8 December: Music for Advent II presented by Mimi Blackwell, Richard Brown and Calla Knudson-Hollebon

15 December: Music for Christmas: The Old and the New – a programme presented by Ariana Knudson-Hollebon, Olivia Barber, Karen Knudson and Peter Stockwell.

Perhaps to finish with – something to tempt your interest in 2012 ....
* 7 pm, Sunday, 29 January 2012 a solo cantata with organ accompaniment
* Mass by Cesar Franck – includes the well known Panis Angelicus (date to be confirmed)
* Cantata by J S Bach – includes Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring (date to be confirmed)
We look forward to seeing you at all or some of the above.

Merry Christmas from the Knox Church Choir
Knox Church, 449 George Street, Dunedin

Log splitting working bee

2011-11-23T10:25:00.001+13:00

Peter Stone took these pictures last Saturday - 19th Nov. - when we held our second and final log splitting working bee.Those featured are Tree Cocks, Polly Mason, Ron Tindall, James Cordes, Nigel Tucker, Scott Blackwell and Peter. Scott provided the team with some more of his marvelous fruit cake.

You may ask what has this got to do with singing? Well, we are working hard to raise funds for our 150th anniversary celebrations in 2013, and without events like this we won't make the target. Thanks to Giles Wynn-Williams who donated the logs. The wood will be sold off in March 2012 after it's had a chance to dry.

Silent monks

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You might enjoy this! We are rehearsing Messiah now, but certainly not silently. Our performance on Tuesday 13 December will be a few notches above this one, so get your tickets for Messiah without delay!

Also check out the nuns' version elsewhere on our blog.

Rich musical culture in Dunedin

2011-11-16T10:55:00.001+13:00

We are so lucky there are many top-class musical events to choose from in our fair Dunedin. Here is what's coming up in the next few weeks:

George Chittenden Organ Recital
Friday 18 November at 7:30 pm, St Paul's Cathedral
Entry is free, but donations will be gladly accepted.

Strings Possessed
NZSO Strings ensemble
Wednesday 23 November at 6:30 pm, Otago Boys' High School
Tickets from TicketDirect or phone 0800 484 253

Ancient and Modern
Featuring one of our favourite sopranos - Lois Johnston
Thursday 24 November at 7:00 pm, St Paul's Cathedral
$20/$10 door sales

Voices of Aotearoa
Voices NZ Chamber Choir
Thursday 24 November at 7:30 pm, Knox Church
Tickets from TicketDirect or phone 0800 484 253
Adult $55, Child $10, Student Rush $15 (available on the day, ID required), service fees apply.

Mediaeval Christmas Concert and Feast
Rare Byrds, Fire Performers and Dancers
At Portobello : 6 pm Saturday 26 November
Bookings essential (for catering)
$25 waged; $20 unwaged; $10 children
Book through Ana (478 0537 - afterhours)
or Penguin Cafe, Portobello.
(A fundraiser for the Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust)

Handel's Messiah
Presented by City of Dunedin Choir and Southern Sinfonia
Featuring renowned soprano Anna Leese
Tuesday 13 December at 7:30 pm, Regent Theatre
Tickets from TicketDirect or phone 0800 484 253
Tickets range $14-$50, service fees apply

Notes and Neurons

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Enjoy

Thank you Lion Foundation

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Photo: Ian Thomson

This from the Lion Foundation's 2011 Annual Report that has just been released:

"Established in 1863, the City of Dunedin Choir is one of the oldest choral groups in the country. As Southern NZ’s leading exponent of large-scale choral works, their performance standards are extremely high. But it’s hard to sing to the rafters without an orchestra in the pit, so The Lion Foundation helped them acquire both an orchestra and a conductor for their Spring Concert Series. The rest, as they say, was music to the people’s ears."

Thank you for the on-going support Lion Foundation!

Messiah on 13 December

2011-10-26T22:04:00.000+13:00

City of Dunedin Choir and Southern Sinfonia present Handel's Messiah in the Regent Theatre (since the Town Hall is closed for renovations) on Tuesday 13 December.

Both the choir and the orchestra are in top form, and with awesome soloists and superb conductor David Burchell, you can expect a top-notch performance!

Tickets are on sale now - don't delay; get yours today!

Students can Sing with Anna Leese

2011-10-07T09:55:00.000+13:00

Anna Leese will sing the soprano role in this
year's production of Handel's Messiah.

The City of Dunedin Choir extends an invitation to student singers to join the Choir for this year's performance of Messiah on 13 December in the Regent Theatre.

Handel's Messiah is appreciated worldwide and is the best known and best loved work in the classical choral repertoire. This performance will provide a fantastic opportunity for the students to experience the work and participate in a world-class delivery of this dramatic and passionate work.

This performance will be conducted by David Burchell with orchestral accompaniment by the Southern Sinfonia, and we are particularly pleased to have Anna Leese back in Dunedin with us again to sing in this performance.

Student Applicants

Must be confident singers and members of an auditioned school or student choir.
Will not have to audition with the City of Dunedin Choir, but should come with the recommendation from the Music Teacher or the Choir Director.
Will have reasonable sight-singing skills, or be able to pick the music up quickly. (Students are seated beside choir members for support and guidance.)
Be committed to practising the music between weekly Choir rehearsals.
Must attend at least 6 of the 8 regular scheduled rehearsals.
Must attend the final rehearsal with the orchestra the evening before the performance (this is compulsory).

Music scores: Music scores will be supplied by the City of Dunedin Choir at the first rehearsal the student attends.

Rehearsals:
Rehearsals are held at the Mornington Presbyterian Community Centre, 16 Maryhill Terrace, Mornington on Tuesday evenings, starting promptly at 7:30 pm and ending at 9:30 pm. The doors are unlocked around 7:00 pm and singers should be seated and ready to start singing by 7:30 pm. For more information please visit http://www.cityofdunedinchoir.org.nz/p/notices.html

Rehearsal schedule:
18 and 25 October, 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 November, 6 December
Final rehearsal in the Regent Theatre: Monday 12 December, 7:00 to 10:00 pm approximately

Performance: Tuesday 13 December, 7:30 pm in the Regent Theatre.

Application: Please submit the following information by email to: info@cityofdunedinchoir.org.nz

Name of student:
Age:
Name of school:
Voice (S, A, T or B):
Student's contact telephone number (evenings):
Student's email address (or that of parent if student has none):

All interested singers who qualify are most welcome to participate in this exciting concert. The number of student singers will not be limited. Join us to perform this beautiful music!

Why you enjoy making music

2011-10-04T22:23:00.000+13:00

... it's clearly the shining eyes!

Stunning performance of Odes to Joy

2011-09-29T09:35:00.000+13:00

City of Dunedin Choir, Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir and soloists joined the NZSO and conductor Pietari Inkinen last night, 28 September 2011, for the performance of the decade! The Dunedin Town Hall was packed and the audience spell-bound from the first to the last notes of Gareth Farr's new work Kaitiaki and Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.

The soloists were:
Madeleine Pierard soprano
Sarah Castle mezzo-soprano
Simon O’Neill tenor
Jonathan Lemalu bass-baritone

During the pre-concert talk Gareth Farr said that the afternoon rehearsal he attended had been the best performance of Kaitiaki so far, but you can bet we gave much more during the evening performance.

Here are some comments from the audience:

"Stunning!"

"You guys were just great" - from members of the NZSO to a City of Dunedin Choir member on the aeroplane flying back to Wellington

"Goosebumpy"

"The best Beethoven's 9th I've heard..."

"What a great concert!"

"Congratulations! What a spine tingling night from start to finish. I thought the Kaitiaki was fantastic and could have listened to it over again."

"The choir in both works was stupendous."

"Congratulations to the City of Dunedin Choir on a job well done! That was great...we've enjoyed every moment of the Odes to Joy!" - from Southern Sinfonia

"Wonderful concert, the boys all loved it. Farr marvelous!" - from Waitaki Boys High

"I really enjoyed the Odes to Joy concert....especially the Gareth Farr.........what a wonderul work."

Where you there? What did you think of this performance?

Thank you to New Zealand Symphony Orchestra for bringing this opportunity to Dunedin - wow! what an experience!

And now ... Beaker (from the Muppets) presents...

2011-09-27T11:40:00.000+13:00

his version of Ode to Joy!

Concert in tune with RWC festivities

2011-09-23T11:59:00.001+12:00

Last Night of the Proms, Dunedin Town Hall, Thursday, 22 September 2011

Dunedin Town Hall was a sellout last evening for a special Proms concert by Southern Sinfonia, St Kilda Brass and City of Dunedin Choir.

In addition to traditional Proms repertoire from Mother England, music performed represented the six countries playing Rugby World Cup matches in Dunedin.

There was a tumultuous reception for two visiting sons of Dunedin - conductor Tecwyn Evans (United Kingdom based) and bass/baritone Jud Arthur (Australia).

Promenaders packed the lower floor in a riot of colour.

Balloons, flags and streamers were everywhere in the red, white and blue carnival atmosphere.

Kapa haka group He Waka Kotuia kicked off with Mihi whakatau followed by national anthems and the orchestral fanfare Peace by New Zealand composer Dorothy Buchanan.

Arthur's rich operatic voice delivered Italian arias - Non pi andrai (Mozart) and La calunnia (Rossini).

A thrilling rendition of Verdi's popular Anvil Chorus came from the choir, St Kilda Brass and Sinfonia, with celebrity guest percussionist Vicki Treadell (British High Commissioner) in Union Jack and smithy's apron playing the anvil.

Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, with volleys of cannon-fire and haze of smoke, was a highlight from the Russian front.

Georgian March from Caucasian Sketches by Ippolitov-Ivanov added Georgian flavour and Rumanian Dances, by Hungarian composer Bela Bartok, was very well performed by the Southern Sinfonia.

A toe-tapping Irish Washerwoman set Irish blood a-pulsing, and Argentina was recognised with Variazione by Ginastera. The World in Union, official song of the RWC is drawn from Holst's The Planets.

Strong unison string themes were spine-tingling, and appropriate for inclusion in the well-selected programme. Arthur dressed in an All Black shirt and Union Jack led the audience in spirited singing of Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and the final Now is the Hour. Kate Mead (Wellington) compered with witty repartee, and a replica bottle of Shackleton's whisky, donated by the British Embassy, was auctioned by Dougal Stevenson, and fetched $1050.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Bouman for the Otago Daily Times, Friday, 23 September 2011.

Final rehearsal for Proms

2011-09-21T23:57:00.001+12:00

This is going to be the greatest Last Night of the Proms concert ever! We heard the tickets are sold out! Here is a wee snapshot of a section of the choir during tonight's rehearsal, via Deborah's cellphone.

Well, bring your party hats and flags, we are going to have ourselves a ball tomorrow night - see you in the Town Hall at 7:30 pm!!!

Multi-lingual Month for the Choir

2011-09-14T14:59:00.002+12:00

September is crazy! The Choir has several gigs this month and singing in a number of different languages:

English

Maori

Spanish

Italian

Russian
German

Next: The Last Night of the Proms with the Southern Sinfonia, 7:30 pm on Thursday 22 September in the Dunedin Town Hall. See you there!

Our Choir features in British newspaper

2011-09-08T09:27:00.001+12:00

From London's Evening Standard last night (Tuesday 6 September) - City of Dunedin Choir singing 'God Save the Queen'. Yes, that's us behind the rugby players! Thanks to Lisa Evans (Tecwyn's sister) who sent us the clipping. Lee Mears and Lewis Moody look like they enjoy singing with us. Tom Palmer is not so sure he wants to be in the limelight!

As the headline suggests, it was quite amusing to see them squeezing their heads into the caps. Rugby players are on the whole rather large chaps!

Here's the online version of the newspaper so you can read the article there...

Fantastic Rugby Welcomes

2011-09-07T09:51:00.001+12:00

On Sunday 4 and Tuesday 6 September City of Dunedin Choir performed the national anthems at the Rugby World Cup Civic Welcomes for the Argentinian and the English rugby teams, in the Dunedin Town Hall. We received this letter of thanks from the DCC:

Goodie morning to you all!

WOW! What a fantastic welcome we have given our first two teams and I cannot thank you enough for your part in making all of this the great success it has been. Please pass on my thanks to all of your team involved, they were fantastic!

The feedback from both teams, media and public has been nothing short of outstanding and the England Manager commented after that he has never received such a personal welcome as he compared our welcome to other World Cups!

It has been an absolute pleasure working with you all. Once again, thanks so much!

All the best

Kim Newman

RWC2011 Regional Coordinator - Team Services

Marketing Communications Agency

Dunedin City Council

We were delighted to take part in these ceremonies and enjoyed the opportunity to get so close to some of the best rugby players in the world!

Big Sing Awards

2011-09-01T15:05:00.001+12:00

Southern Hesperides in action at The Big Sing

Congratulations to the winning choirs of The Big Sing Festival – for the third year in a row, Choralation of Westlake Boys’ and Girls’ High School has earned the top prize – the Platinum Award – at The Big Sing Finale.

Bronze Awards went to local Dunedin choirs:
Otago Boys’ High School Choir 2011 – Otago Boys’ High School
Southern Hesperides – Otago Girls’ High School
Barock – Otago Boys’ and Girls’ High School

Listen to the choirs... just follow the links on the list on The Big Sing page...

Awesome! Well done! Read more about the winners...

"A Very Big Sing, Very Entertaining". Read the review of the Big Sing Finale concert...

Masterpiece

2011-08-31T20:53:00.000+12:00

The King's Singers delight with Paul Drayton's composition "Masterpiece" - representing the history of the last 400 years of Western classical music, but wait, I'll let them tell the story...

1812 for the Proms

2011-08-31T10:56:00.000+12:00

City of Dunedin Choir is looking forward to singing this choral version of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture with the Southern Sinfonia at the Last Night of the Proms concert on 22 September!

Here is the Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture, Op 49. Erich Kunzel is conducting the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra:

Gypsies for the Proms

2011-08-31T09:36:00.001+12:00

City of Dunedin Choir is looking forward to singing this opera chorus with the Southern Sinfonia at the Last Night of the Proms concert on 22 September!

The Anvil Chorus is the English term for the Coro di zingari (Italian Gypsy chorus), a piece of music from Act 2, Scene 1 of Giuseppe Verdi's Il Trovatore (The Troubador, 1853) which depicts Spanish Gypsies striking their anvils at dawn – hence its English name – and singing the praises of hard work, good wine, and their Gypsy women. Most recordings will list this as Vedi! Le fosche notturne.

Translation
See how the clouds melt away
from the face of the sky when the sun shines, its brightness beaming;
just as a widow, discarding her black robes,
shows all her beauty in brilliance gleaming.
So, to work now!
Lift up your hammers!
Who turns the Gypsy's day from gloom to brightest sunshine?
His lovely Gypsy maid!

Fill up the goblets! New strength and courage
flow from lusty wine to soul and body.
See how the rays of the sun play and sparkle
and give to our wine gay new splendor.
So, to work now!
Who turns the Gypsy's day from gloom to brightest sunshine?
His lovely Gypsy maid!

Messiah score

2011-08-30T13:23:00.000+12:00

Especially for new choir members - note that members are expected to have their own copy of Handel's Messiah since this work is performed every second year. Yes, 2011 is a Messiah performance year!

Here are some options for sourcing a copy:

Download free PDFs of the entire or parts of the Messiah score from:

http://imslp.org/wiki/Messiah,_HWV_56_%28Handel,_George_Frideric%29

or

http://icking-music-archive.org/ByComposer/Handel.php

or this score, based on the Chrysander edition:

http://scores.ccarh.org/handel/messiah/

Copies of Messiah can be purchased online from:

Sheetmusicplus
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/Messiah/907780

Amazon UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0853602115/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

Amazon USA
http://www.amazon.com/Messiah-Watkins-Shaw/dp/0853602115/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311235329&sr=8-1

Book Depository (UK) with free delivery to NZ
http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Handels-Messiah-Choral-Edition-Watkins-Shaw/9780853602118

Purchase from Dunedin bookshops:

University Bookshop
Beggs Music Works

And remember this wonderful practice resource at Cyberbass:

http://www.cyberbass.com/Major_Works/Handel_GF/Handel_Messiah.htm

Acapella Bumble Bee

2011-08-22T20:28:00.002+12:00

The "Flight of the Bumble Bee" as you've never heard it before...

Nick Lachey leading the Cincinnati team with an acapella version of "Flight of the Bumble Bee". Be mesmerised!

Ever wondered about this piece?
"Flight of the Bumblebee" is an orchestral interlude written by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov for his opera The Tale of Tsar Saltan, composed in 1899–1900. The piece closes Act III, Tableau 1, during which the magic Swan-Bird changes Prince Gvidon Saltanovich (the Tsar's son) into an insect so that he can fly away to visit his father (who does not know that he is alive).

Cockney Music

2011-08-21T14:00:00.000+12:00

"There's a lot of winking in cockney music" says Bill Bailey..

Claire Barton Farewells Dunedin

2011-08-19T14:05:00.002+12:00

Saturday 20 August, 8:00pm, Dunedin Town Hall

In September 2011 Claire will begin study towards a Post Graduate Artist Diploma at Trinity Laban in London. Before she leaves she is performing in a fundraising concert with proceeds going towards fees, travel and living costs.

Expect an evening full of entertainment from some of Dunedin’s best performers including Claire Barton, mezzo-soprano, the City of Dunedin Choir, the Dunedin RSA Choir, pianist Julia Horsnell, and many more.

City of Dunedin Choir will perform:

Bach: Mass in B Minor 'Kyrie eleison'
Mozart: Requiem: 'Sanctus' and 'Benedictus'
Handel: Messiah: 'O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion'

Tickets are available from www.ticketdirect.co.nz or from the Regent Theatre Box Office, phone 03 477-8597

Mozart Requiem: Sanctus and Benedictus

2011-08-15T10:48:00.000+12:00

Mozart Requiem: Sanctus and Benedictus
John Eliot Gardiner conducts the English Baroque Soloists and the Monteverdi Choir. This performance was filmed at the Palau de la Musica Catalana, Barcelona in Dec. 1991.

Fun for the snow day

2011-08-15T08:36:00.000+12:00

The whole of Dunedin is snowed in today, so we might as well have a little fun with Kermit and friends. Love the pink cows!!!

Three young tenors from Italy

2011-08-14T12:29:00.001+12:00

I you have not yet heard of Il Volo, have a look at this and be amazed! It would be interesting to see their future in the crystal ball - will they become famous classical 'bel canto' tenors, or will they remain the popera stars that they are now?

City of Dunedin Choir is really short on men, and especially tenors, at the moment. Are there any tenors in Dunedin who would like to join this vibrant community choir? We'd love to hear from you - check out our Singers page for more information and email Loraine, the Membership Secretary, at members@cityofdunedinchoir.org.nz if you are interested in singing with us.

Opening the Forsyth Barr Stadium

2011-08-05T13:32:00.005+12:00

Yep, we were there, giving John Key a hand in opening the new stadium here in Dunedin, very early this morning. The ceremony started at 7 am, but the Choir had to be there by 6:30 am, so our day started way earlier than usual. However, with hearts and souls as brave as can be, we reported for duty on this very crisp winter's morning.

Despite the cold everyone was quite excited - with the odd yawn here and there while we waited for our turn to trot out onto the field. We provided the choral support for soloists and backing group, yes, and a pipe band(!), in the singing of 'How Great Thou Art' and the National Anthem, both in Maori and English.

Walking out afterwards I heard a 'spectator' say that it was a "very impressive opening"!

Last night we had a rehearsal session and here is a lovely pic (courtesy Stella Cullington) of the Choir (again out in the cold) on that beautifull paddock:

City of Dunedin Choir at rehearsal for the stadium opening

Video from Channel 9 news bulletin:
http://www.ch9.co.nz/content/forsyth-barr-stadium-officially-opened

City of Dunedin Choir sings at the stadium opening (Photo: Ian Thomson)

Photo album of the opening, by Ian Thomson: www.nzdigital.org/Stadium5811/
(Press F11 to view full-screen; F11 again to toggle back)

Mad Mid-winter Scarf Sale

2011-07-26T10:37:00.000+12:00

At last week's rehearsal we made heaps of money for the Choir Sales Table with our Mad Mid-winter Scarf Sale. Everyone enjoyed the evening of singing some of our old favourites like movements from Mozart's Requiem and also Beethoven's Choral Symphony - Ode to Joy. Then a nice cuppa tea or coffee and a lovely supper so generously provided by a handful of members.

Everyone was so relaxed and happy, yet excited about the success of the Belshazzar's Feast concert the previous weekend, and having fun with the scarf sale! Just have a look at the happy faces.

How Great Thou Art

2011-07-25T22:00:00.000+12:00

City of Dunedin Choir will be singing 'How Great Thou Art' at the opening of the Forsyth Barr Stadium on 5 August, at 7 am in the morning.

- sung here in English and Maori by Sir Howard Morrison.

The tune of Whakaaria mai is the hymn How Great Thou Art, which was written in 1886 by a Swedish pastor, Carl Boberg, after he was caught in a sudden thunderstorm while out in the countryside.

Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my soul my savior God to Thee
How great Thou art
How great Thou art
Then sings my soul my savior God to Thee
How great Thou art how great Thou art.

Whakaaria mai (pr. fa-kar-r'ya my)
Tōu rīpeka ki au
Ti-aho mai
Ra roto i te pō
Hei kona au
Titiro atu ai
Ora, ma-te
Hei au koe noho ai

O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings

2011-07-25T21:00:00.000+12:00

George Frederic Handel - 'O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion' from "Messiah" Performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus.

Argentinian National Anthem

2011-07-25T20:21:00.001+12:00

Argentina National Anthem Lyrics

First Part
Oid, mortales el grito sagrado
libertad, libertad, libertad

Oid el ruido de rotas cadenas,
que responde a la noble igualdad.
Ya su trono dignisimo abrieron,
Ya su trono dignisimo abrieron,
las Provincias Unidas del sur,
las Provincias Unidas del sur,
y los libres del mundo responden
al gran Pueblo Argentino, Salud
al gran Pueblo Argentino, Salud !

Y los libres del mundo responden:
Al gran Pueblo Argentino, Salud !

Second Part
Sean eternos los laureles
que supimos conseguir,
que supimos conseguir !
Coronados de gloria vivamos
Oh, oh, juremos con gloria morir
Oh, juremos con gloria morir,
Oh, juremos con gloria morir !!

English Translation
Mortals! Hear the sacred cry;
Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!
Hear the noise of broken chains.
See noble Equality enthroned.
The United Provinces of the South
Have now displayed their worthy throne.
And the free peoples of the world reply;
We salute the great people of Argentina!
(repeat)

And the free peoples of the world reply;
We salute the great people of Argentina!
(repeat previous two lines)

CHORUS
May the laurels be eternal
That we knew how to win.
Let us live crowned with glory,
Or swear to die gloriously.
(repeat three times)

Lyrics: Vincente López y Planes, 1813
Music: Blas Parera, 1813
Adopted: 1813

Ode to Joy

2011-07-24T21:26:00.004+12:00

"Ode to Joy", Beethoven's 9th Symphony, performed by the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Orchestra conducted by Volker Hartung. Live from Lee Foundation Hall in Singapore.

"Ode to Joy" (German: "An die Freude" in D major, first line: "Freude, schöner Götterfunken") is an ode written in 1785 by the German poet, playwright and historian Friedrich Schiller, celebrating the brotherhood and unity of all mankind. It is best known for its musical setting by Ludwig van Beethoven in the final movement of his Ninth Symphony (completed in 1824), a choral symphony for orchestra, four solo voices and choir.

The Beethoven setting was adopted as the Anthem of Europe by the Council of Europe in 1972 and the then European Community—since 1993 the European Union—in 1985; the tune was also used in the anthem of Rhodesia. It has been used in a number of other contexts: notably in Stanley Kubrick's 1971 film A Clockwork Orange and in the Die Hard film franchise. It is also the basic melody for the song "A Song of Joy" by Miguel Ríos, and "Road To Joy" by Bright Eyes.

City of Dunedin Choir will perform this work together with the NZSO on Wednesday 28 September, 6:30pm, Dunedin Town Hall.

From the archives: Lacrimosa

2011-07-24T21:04:00.001+12:00

'Lacrimosa' from Mozart's Requiem

Conductor: Ryusuke Numajiri

City of Dunedin Choir and Auckland Choral Society combined choirs, with the Southern Sinfonia.
1 October 2005, Dunedin Town Hall, New Zealand

Browse our Youtube Channel for more examples of our big sound!

'Feast' takes ears by storm

2011-07-18T08:59:00.009+12:00

Belshazzar's Feast
Dunedin Town Hall
Saturday, July 16

Belshazzar's Feast, the rather unique oratorio composed by English composer William Walton in 1930-31, was performed on Saturday evening in the town hall by Southern Sinfonia with City of Dunedin Choir, conducted by Dane Lam.

Lam has said that Belshazzar's Feast is "big and noisy" and he certainly pulled out all the stops to get the very best from his musicians, interpreting the pagan rituals, worship of false gods and triumphant partying that is all part of this work. The music's unpredictability surprises the listener throughout, with its underlying traces of jazz, heinous irregularity of beat and sudden eruptions of outrageous sound.

Certainly a rare experience to hear this work live. Well done to all, though at many times I longed for an extra 100 voices to "conquer" the Sinfonia, revelling in their rich jagged orchestration and strident outbursts.

Internationally acclaimed New Zealand bass/baritone Paul Whelan, in the role of narrator, advanced the sectional plots. His unaccompanied Babylon Was a Great City was a stupendous delivery, with fervent tone and pristine diction.

The concert's opening works were hugely contrasting.

There's nothing quite like a good strong overture to open an orchestral event, but instead we were given Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, a string work of peace and serenity, somewhat loosely presented, with many soft entries tentative rather than gentle.

Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring (1944) with its strains of American melodies and Shaker tunes, particularly Lord of the Dance, was well defined and an enjoyable lead-up to the main work, but it would have been such a bonus to have heard Whelan (1993 Cardiff Singer of the World) perform in the first half of the concert.

- Elizabeth Bouman

Source: ODT Mon, 18 Jul 2011

Feedback from the audience

The highlight, although not the best piece of music, came after the interval, and everyone ended the performance covered in glory. I've heard the choir sing ff, but last night you got to ffff with nary a trace of distortion. Everyone near where I was sitting was wrung out at the end of the concert. It was a wonderful evening. My only regret is that I shall never again be able to listen to several cherished CDs of "Belshazzar's Feast".

- a Friend

I heard from some in the audience not all related to me) and also orchestra members. They all said how much they enjoyed the performance and that the choir 'pulled it off'. The orchestra had been worried that we wouldn't put enough energy into it but they said we certainly did on the night. The audience also commented on the energy in the choir and that the Walton was the highlight of the concert.

I haven't done any singing for about 17-18 years but I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the choir and realised how much I missed it! I'm sorry, but I'll be back.

- Mary Jane Sneyd

My friend - who used my Sinfonia subscriber's pass as he thought the tickets were too expensive (cheapest upstairs was $52) was so thrilled, he said he was going home to listen to a recording of the piece again. Apparently once was not enough.

Another friend, a fellow chorister from another choir, and long-time CoDC watcher, said it was the best and most vigorous performance he could remember seeing from the City Choir in 10 years.

Several orchestra members commented that the choir seemed to improve with every one of the week's rehearsals so that, by the performance night, the choir was totally focussed and "amazing".

- Scott Blackwell

I was in the audience and felt that the choir sang very well. I was so excited and wanted to burst in with you several times. Your faces were very expressive and it was obvious that everyone really was fully engaged with both the conductor and the orchestra for the whole of the performance. Well done everyone.

- Judy Tucker

I was so glad to be in the audience on Saturday and not have to concentrate on finding the right notes! I had found the music very difficult to get used to and wasn’t able to be at enough practices. I fully expected to dislike Belshazzar’s Feast – noisy and full of discords, and was amazed to be bowled over by the exhuberance and electrifying effect of the live performance.

Where the orchestra was not in full throttle, the words came over very well, especially the men’s entry and practically everyone actually watched the conductor for the whole work. A larger soprano section would have been good. Well done, everyone, especially David.

- Stella Cullington

As I edged through the crowded Town Hall foyer after the concert, I heard a lady in front of me say to her neighbour: "That was magnificent."

- Helen Edwards

We love feedback

The Choir would love to hear from you if you were in the audience on Saturday. Please leave a comment here or email us at info@cityofdunedinchoir.org.nz

Thank you for your support!

Final rehearsal

2011-07-16T16:49:00.002+12:00

This afternoon at the final rehearsal before tonight's performance of Walton's Belshazzar's Feast:

The Southern Sinfonia players tuning their instruments under the watchful eye (and ear) of Sydney Manowitz, concert master.

City of Dunedin Choir listening attentively to announcements at the start of the rehearsal.

We hope the good citizens of Dunedin will brave the cold this evening and come and hear this performance - it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to hear this work performed live in Dunedin!! Even if we say so ourselves - it's going to be good!

Seminar on Belshazzar's Feast

2011-06-23T12:02:00.003+12:00

If you are planning to attend the performance on 16 July, don't miss Anthony Ritchie's seminar on Belshazzar's Feast on Mon 11 July - 5:30 - 7:00 pm. He's talking about the whole programme - Belshazzar's Feast, Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis, and Aaron Copeland's work Appalachian Spring.

Cost is $21 and it's filling fast - they have room for 25 and it's up to 19 or 20 already! Contact the Music Department at University of Otago for more details, or check with Southern Sinfonia.

Congratulations Tamsin

2011-06-22T12:19:00.001+12:00

Congratulations Tamsin Jones (Alto) - we are so proud of you!

"University of Otago graduate Tamsin Jones has been awarded a prestigious $US100,000 Frank Knox Memorial Scholarship to support two years of doctoral study at Harvard University, in the United States."

Read more in the ODT...

Jolly good sales table

2011-06-16T20:50:00.001+12:00

This week at Tuesday rehearsal the Choir held one of its usual monthly (more or less) sales tables - one of the fund-raising initiatives of the choir. We bring and we buy during the half-time break, while munching on a biscuit or sipping a cuppa - ah! those glorious bargains!

Happy customers browsing the fresh produce, baking and preserves.

Selecting a music CD takes fierce concentration!

And Rosalind says: Thank you to the choir member who brought these lovely flowers to sales table.

The Triumph of Mars

2011-06-09T13:52:00.000+12:00

The Dunedin Medieval and Renaissance Society presents Rare Byrds, the Southern Consort of Voices, the Playford Dancers and special guests in 'The Triumph of Mars', a stirring evening of early music, dance and poetry relating to war and peace,

at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, 7:30pm, Friday 17 June.

Tickets will be available at the door. ($15/$10).
There will be a free fire performance in the Octagon from 6:45pm.

And Now For Something Completely Different ...

2011-06-09T10:19:00.000+12:00

as the well worn expression goes.

Choir Member Honoured

2011-06-06T12:24:00.000+12:00

Prof. Warren Tate.

Congratulations Warren Tate - Bass extraordinaire and Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Warren, we are extremely proud to call you one of our own.

"Internationally respected biochemist Prof Warren Tate, who last year won the Royal Society of New Zealand's top science honour, is "humbled" to be also named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit."

Read more in the ODT, Monday 6 June 2011...

Choir uniform: to change or not to change

2011-06-01T15:15:00.004+12:00

From time to time, over the years, City of Dunedin Choir has changed its uniform. The notable orange (1980), and later on blue (1988), dresses for the ladies stand out in history!

Today we have, for the ladies:

and for the gentlemen:

The men's black dinner suit with white shirt and black bow tie has remained unchanged for the nearly 150 years of the choir's existence!

Now here's the rub: in 2013 the choir celebrates its 150th anniversary and the question is:

Should City of Dunedin Choir get a new uniform for 2013?

We would like anybody and everybody's opinion and/or suggestion, so please leave your comments at the end of this post.

To put you in the fashion picture, here are some of the plusses and minuses that have been mentioned over recent years, regarding the present uniform:

The gentlemen are uncomfortably hot under the stage lights in their dinner suits and would much prefer to lose the jackets.
In the heat of a performance the bow ties sometimes end up all askew; not a good look.
The bow ties are of a variety of different designs, so on closer inspection are not 'uniform'.
Although the ladies' blouses look smart 'en masse' from a distance, many individual members feel the blouses are ugly. Indeed, some are ill-fitting, but surely that can be improved.
The official black skirt for the ladies is generally regarded as a hideous, shapeless, frumpy garment; for this reason ladies have been allowed to wear other 'approved' black skirts, with the result that the skirt is no longer 'uniform', especially in design and length.
Speaking of length, the official ladies' skirt is an odd length - above the ankles - which contributes to the 'frumpy' look, with all kinds of shoes (some delicate and some blocky and comfortable) peeping out the bottom.
Should the ladies wear skirts or trousers?

Choosing a uniform to suit a group of men and women of varied ages, shapes and sizes is never an easy task. We wish to look smart and as uniform as possible.

Should we change any aspect of the current choir uniform? We would like to hear your ideas and suggestions!

Could choir members please indicate their willingness to serve on a uniform subcommittee if the decision is made to change the choir uniform?

31 August 2011 - Here is the result of this survey and the outcome of the committee's discussion of this issue:

Thank you to all the members who submitted their considered thoughts and suggestions regarding the possibility of a new choir uniform for the 2013 anniversary celebrations and beyond.

At our meeting on 31 August the committee noted that the general view of the members was to “tidy up” the uniform, but not to incur considerable costs to either the choir funds or members’ personal pockets while we are working hard to raise funds for the 150th celebrations.

The committee considered at some length the specific suggestions and has appointed a uniform sub-committee consisting of: Judy Tucker, Clare Kennelly and Jan Stevens.

The sub-committee will carefully consider the comments received and then propose the next step towards tidying up the women’s outfit, with special attention to the look of the skirts. The majority of comments regarding the men’s outfit was that the present uniform is the most appropriate for our choir and the committee generally agreed with this view, so the men’s uniform will not be changed.

All is well with Walton

2011-05-25T15:04:00.000+12:00

Rembrandt's Belshazzar

Last night we had another rehearsal of Walton's Belshazzar's Feast, characterised by fierce concentration, hard work and moments of raucous hilarity - the rehearsal that is; not the Feast.

The story...

But first, for those who are not familiar with the work, you need to know that in the story of Belshazzar's Feast, the Jews are in exile in Babylon. After a feast at which Belshazzar, the Babylonian king, commits sacrilege by using the Jews' sacred vessels to praise the heathen gods, he is miraculously killed, the kingdom falls, and the Jews regain their freedom. Don't we all like a story with a happy ending? Yes!

The music...

The music throughout is strongly rhythmic and syncopated, and richly orchestrated. The rhythms and harmonies (often discords) reflect Walton’s interest in jazz and other popular music, pressed into service to tell a religious story. Despite its jagged rhythms and strident orchestral effects, the work is essentially conventional in its tonality (but not much so).

The tricky bits...

So, from time to time we hit a phrase with some rather tricky pitching or timing and choir director David Burchell, with the patience of Job, would guide each voice separately through the hairy patch, and then all together, until we "get it".

Here's the funny bit...

At one point, round about page 30 in the score, the text describes the wild partying and much drinking going on at the King of Babylon's feast and just before the bit about the drinking spree, we hit a snag. So David waved the magic baton (usually a pencil) and we went over and over those pesky notes... and suddenly David stopped us with "let's go back and do that again; once we're into the drink we're all right!". That brought the house down - you had to be there, but it was sooo funny!

And then Giles piped up with: "These guys must have been sloshed all the time!" More laughter. Yes, it seems they did a lot of drinking at this famous feast.

Again, from David when we "got" another tricky bit: "That's right, and if it sounds wrong, blame Walton".

Some of Walton's phrases in this work, taken out of context, can easily sound wrong, but put the whole lot together and it is a very powerful work. Walton is like an artist with a paint brush, colouring in the emotion of each scene - and he does it very well indeed.

All is well with Walton.

Walton: Belshazzar's Feast

2011-05-16T20:30:00.000+12:00

City of Dunedin Choir will be performing Belshazzar's Feast at the Southern Sinfonia's concert on 16 July. Here's a preview:

Sir Andrew Davis conducts Willard White, the BBC Symphony Chorus, Leeds Festival Chorus and BBC Symphony Orchestra in Walton's Belshazzar's Feast at Leeds Town Hall in the 1999 BBC series Masterworks: Six Pieces Of Britain

Part 1

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Feathered Queen of the Night

2011-05-07T19:24:00.002+12:00

What would Mozart have thought of this performance!

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

2011-04-30T14:10:00.002+12:00

Fascinating and ingenious Japanese version of this piece by Bach (even if it is just for an ad):

And then hear the Celtic Woman version (pretty, but probably not the way Bach intended it to sound):

And now as Bach intended (although he probably meant it to be played a little faster and livelier):

Did you enjoy? What do you think of the contrasting versions?

And the winners are

2011-04-28T21:36:00.001+12:00

Congratulations to the winners of our DVD Competition! They are:

Sofia Barriga of Port Chalmers

Rosa Miles-Seeley of Roseneath, Dunedin

Laurence Hay of Waitati (online subscription entry)

Thank you for supporting the City of Dunedin Choir! Your DVD is on its way!

Messiah at Easter - Civis column in ODT Sat 23 Apr 11

2011-04-23T11:48:00.003+12:00

Interesting column by Civis in ODT today - another person who appreciated the performance of B minor Mass last Saturday.

Civis discussed Messiah, and made the point that it can be an Easter or Passiontide work just as much as a Christmas time work. It could be the first work sung by the choir to celebrate the re-opening of Dunedin Town Hall, if we know when that will be. If Messiah is sometimes performed at Easter it gives the choir a bit more freedom to choose a variety of works for the Christmas season.

A Singer's Review

2011-04-21T12:26:00.000+12:00

By Nigel Tucker

It is always a pleasure to sing in a such a complex work as the Bach Mass in B Minor. The piece holds technical challenges, glorious rhythmic interplay and wonderful soaring passages. But more importantly it demands attention to detail, to the conductor and to the rest of the choir.

In the end we achieved much. All those fiddly fugal parts, which can so easily fall apart, we sang with assurance. The slow sonorous 'Et Incarnatus Est' and 'Crucixifus' were well held and sustained, and the choir seemed at all times well balanced with the orchestra.

Yes, we were a little weak on some of the entries, more due to lack of confidence than technical skill, and the choir did not always watch the conductor sufficiently often to keep well in time (as usual) - especially the basses who got way ahead once and several times wandered along a bit behind everyone else.

The orchestral solo lines were spectacular - the flute, the trumpets, the oboes, the french horn (so that was what David was imitating all those months), and that lovely bassoon - I'd buy a recording just to hear those again.

If I had any complaints, they would have to be a loss of phrasing and dynamics that we had developed so well at rehearsal and lost at performance - quiet movements are so very effective and beautiful - like the 'Dona Nobis Pacem'. The Mass is a piece that demands huge attention to this - otherwise it can descend into a morass of fiddly little notes. As a choir we perhaps need to view the actual performance as one more dress rehearsal. And secondly the text. Bach requires such a high level of rhythmic accuracy and enunciation that these become a huge challenge for larger choirs with many singing voices in each part, and a considerable distance from the conductor, so that the sound for each note spreads out and blurs in music that owes much of its beauty from a tight clock-like precision.

The audience loved it, we loved it, and the orchestra, some of whom seem to have really boring parts, seemed to enjoy themselves. We were well prepared and well turned out and produced a great sound. Well done, Choir - three cheers for live performances and the joy of working together in such a great piece.

Prolonged ovation for triumphant performance

2011-04-18T20:59:00.009+12:00

Review of the performance of Bach's Mass in B minor, Dunedin Town Hall, Saturday 16 April 2011, by Elizabeth Bouman (Otago Daily Times, Monday 18 April 2011).

Johann Sebastian Bach's Mass in B minor was completed in 1749, and to this day remains a behemoth in large choral repertoire.

On Saturday evening in the Dunedin Town Hall the Mass was presented by 90-member City of Dunedin Choir with Southern Sinfonia and guest soloists soprano Lois Johnston, mezzo-soprano Sarah Court, tenor John Murray and baritone Daniel O'Connor, and conducted by David Burchell.

The choir has been rehearsing since late last year. Like long-distance runners, all were on a high after the experience of training for and completing their marathon, and it is indeed highly exhilarating to negotiate thousands and thousands of notes to reach the final page in triumph.

The audience rewarded with prolonged ovation, having experienced varied satisfaction along the way. Particularly memorable for the bystander were many passages where solo wood-wind, string or brass featured, such as oboe and bassoon highlights in the bass aria Et in Spiritum sanctum and flute obligato in the tenor aria Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.

The opening Kyrie eleison was slow to settle, initially presenting rather light and under-defined. The intense melismatic style of this work demands very slick scalic vocal ability, and the clarity of many phrases was slurred and rather blurry, resulting in approximation rather than precision. Consequently, the overall effect often lacked pulse and spritely forward drive, but as the work progressed the big textured choruses were generally exciting, despite accurately intoned soprano top register appearing under-strength.

The best aria for me was the deep rich tone and pleasing legato lines of the mezzo Agnus Dei. The soprano's quality was beautiful, but decidedly lacking in rapport through seldom looking away from the score. The young emerging baritone gave a very creditable performance throughout and the tenor also delivered well.

All thanks and credit should go to the organisers for presenting Bach's famous Mass, giving opportunity for followers of the genre to experience a live performance.

Feedback from the audience

"I really thought the choir and orchestra were amazing last weekend."
- Lois Johnston (Soprano solist)

"Hi, I think David should be well pleased particularly with the choir. A few little issues with timing but you sounded rich and full for many of the choruses. Some excellent solos from some of the orchestra."
- a Friend

"It (the performance) was good enough for the audience to feel the monumental nature of the work."
- a Friend

"We attended the concert on Saturday. Were unable to hear the Tenor and the Baritone. Second half the Baritone came across more strongly, but alas the Tenor was lost to us. We were not the only ones to comment on this. Four people in our row said the same and during the interval we heard the same. We were sitting front row upstairs."
- Jennifer Hopkinson

David Burchell responds to Jennifer Hopkinson's feedback:
"The hall is problematic for the lower solo voices, though I think they balance better downstairs. It seemed OK in rehearsal - but then the presence of audience and choir changes the acoustic! I am surprised that John was inaudible, though in the duet he had to take care not to overbalance Lois, so it was a tricky issue. The strings were already playing right down..."

"As a member of the choir for many years, it was a pleasure, and an enjoyable experience to be in the audience for the Bach concert, as I had been unable to attend an adequate number of rehearsals. There was a real buzz among the audience who did appreciate what a 'big sing' the work was, everyone I spoke to thought it was a very good performance, and so did I! I thought it was a confident performance, the diction was excellent, and I did enjoy watching everyone's animated faces, mostly eyes were out of music scores, and you did 'sing your hearts out' - bravo!
- Maggie Peake

"I was certainly interested in hearing the Bach B minor Mass again, but last night's performance rekindled an old enthusiasm for the piece. The soloists were good and the orchestra was very fine, but the Dunedin Choir carried the night.

"This won't come as a surprise to you, but David Burchell has had a remarkable influence on your group. The sound is more homogeneous now than it was five years ago, with groups of singers evident more by timbre than volume when their voices have to dominate the sound. That quality really showed in the final part of the Mass, and was a highlight for me. Another highlight was the beautiful blend between the vocal soloists and the instrumentalists who accompanied them. The long, winding, woodwind accompaniments -- which must be the very devil to play -- sounded wonderful."
- a Friend

"It was a fantastic concert and a splendid introduction to the B Minor Mass which I had not heard before."
- a Friend

"It was tremendous. The fugal writing was beautifully clear."
- a Friend

"Brilliant. We loved it."
- a Friend

"Thank you for a marvellous concert. Thoroughly enjoyed it."
- a Friend

"Everyone I have spoken to really enjoyed it. Several hadn't heard it before: "moving" and "beautiful". One commented on David's obvious attempts to slow us down at one point! For the hard of hearing the soprano soloist was hard to make out above the orchestra, was another comment."
- Tree Cocks

"Last Saturday evening, April 16th, the Dunedin audience was treated to one of the world’s most celebrated choral masterpieces, Mass in B minor by JS Bach. Elizabeth Bouman was quite right when she said in the ODT the following Monday that "all thanks and credit should go to the organizers for giving us such an opportunity".

"And what an opportunity it was! The opening Kyrie, with its heartrending plea for mercy, was so beautifully done that it brought tears to my eyes. The more outgoing movements such as the Gloria, Sanctus and the Osanna, stirred the emotions. The soloist instrumentals were exceptionally captivating and blended well with the vocal parts. The entire performance communicated the inspirational nature of this contemplative feast.

"This was truly an exhilarating performance and the audience, including myself, showed their appreciation with prolonged applause. That said it all!"
- Janice Royds

"I was in the audience and really enjoyed the performance. I was speaking with a couple of people around me who were just so grateful to be able to hear this work live. They really appreciated the effort that the choir had gone to to stage this performance. I found it really hard to sit there and not sing. You were all great."
- Heather Brown

We love feedback

The Choir would love to hear from you if you were in the audience on Saturday. Please leave a comment here or email us at info@cityofdunedinchoir.org.nz

Thank you for your support!

DVD Competition

2011-04-16T10:10:00.005+12:00

Tonight (Saturday 16 April) City of Dunedin Choir presents Bach's Mass in B minor and at the same time we are launching a DVD competition!!

It's easy - all you have to do is sign up to receive our free Concert Watch newsletter (only about 3 or 4 issues per year) to go into the draw to win one of THREE copies of the Sinfonia Anartica DVD produced by Dunedin's own world-renowned television documentary production company, NHNZ.

How to sign up for Concert Watch:

Fill in the wee subscription form on the right-hand side panel of this web page (to receive the e-mail version of Concert Watch), or
Come to the concert tonight and cut out and complete the entry form on the back page of the programme, then mail it to us (Freepost), or
~~Visit the display table in the Town Hall foyer at the concert tonight and fill out an entry form, then pop it in the box on the table. Entry forms from the programme can also be left in this box.~~

More about the Sinfonia Antartica DVD

SINFONIA ANTARTICA
This unique programme was created to accompany Ralph Vaughan Williams’ dramatic score, performed here by the NZSO and conducted by James Judd. Featuring rarely-seen historic film plus spectacular time-lapse and underwater footage, critically acclaimed Sinfonia Antartica showcases the frozen continent in all its glory.

ICEBOUND
This film tells the story of the golden age of Antarctic exploration. Through rare footage and fascinating images, share in the adventure, discoveries, failures and triumphs of Amundsden, Scott, Shackleton, Fuchs, Hillary and others.

THE UNFRAMED CONTINENT
An inspiring artistic odyssey around Antarctica with three artists who capture the character of the frozen continent in their work. Two poets and a painter respond with an outpouring of poems and paintings.

3 x 50 minutes, produced by NHNZ Ltd, Dunedin

Competition Rules

The closing date for the Concert Watch DVD competition is Tuesday 26 April 2011.
The competition is closed to City of Dunedin Choir members and Southern Sinfonia players and administrative staff.
The competition is closed to people who are not resident in New Zealand.
There are three DVDs to be won and the winners will be announced on the Choir’s website and they will be contacted by email or telephone.

WordWays on Bach

2011-04-15T09:42:00.000+12:00

Johann Sebastian Bach

Written by John Hale for his column WordWays, published in the ODT on Thursday 14 April 2011:

At Rehearsals
Bach’s B Minor Mass will be performed on Saturday by the City of Dunedin Choir and the Southern Sinfonia, directed by David Burchell. In moments of respite during strenuous rehearsals, I’ve been wondering what’s in this supreme work for the wordsmith.

Why Latin?
The text is in Latin because Latin was the language of internationalexchange for Western Europe for centuries, till after Newton or Linnaeus (and Bach), and for the Roman church till Vatican II. It was a language of the earliest Christians, along with Greek and Aramaic. A few words and phrases from those other languages, and from classical Hebrew, remain embedded like nuggets in the text of the Mass: respectively, Kyrie eleison (Lord have mercy), Amen (Truly I say), Osanna (Save now!). Kyrie eleison as archetypal Christian words comes from the gospels.

Singing Latin
Latin is a friendly language to sing in. To see what I mean, compare Bach’s German. It’s hard to sing menschliches Geschlecht mellifluously, whereas Dona nobis pacem comes naturally. I’m not criticising German, only praising Latin for singing, and for the words of the Mass. Bach won’t compromise the
music to help his singers, so be thankful his Latin poses no tongue twisters. It means the singers can relish the long pure vowels, whether sitting snugly on a prolonged Saa–aa-aa-nctus, or doing the semi-quavers helter skelter. Bach gives the singer’s mouth and ears a gratifying work-out. You can use the words to get the rhythms right. He dwells on the words, in loving repetition, variation within repetition. Sounds, words, and meanings are defamiliarized.

Feeling
No composer surpasses Bach in expressiveness either. The opening Kyries move in strange wide intervals: they yearn and plead. The parts wander around uncertainly at Expecto (“I am waiting” for the life to come). Most obviously, the Crucifixus sings very slowly, moving down to a solemn low close, then we burst out in a high quick contrasting Et Resurrexit (starting in a different rhythm, halfway through a bar). Phew. That close was not the close: the narrative continues. The words imply emotions which the music then expresses. It’s all high drama. A pity Bach didn’t do opera.

Mimicry
These examples mimic meanings of the words, and conjure up the corresponding feelings. Though such word-painting is usual for composers, something singles Bach out. Is it completeness, intensity, or accuracy? Or the ordered beauty and self-replenishing energy?

Entranced
My first answer to these questions is from the experience of the singing. When the men’s parts sing In gloria, they get some lovely sustained notes (comforting the nerves and resting the tonsils): we pour forth steadily on one note while the ladies’ notes wriggle around rapidly. There’s just time for action and contemplation combined, a sort of energetic trance.

Bach’s conception
My second answer is about Bach. I actually have no clear conception of what words like glory or holy or blessèd mean. Life doesn’t seem to visit them much. So I can’t call Bach’s settings expressive mimicry, unless one or both of two things is true. Does Bach endow us with his knowledge of glory, a musical radiance? Or does music itself, at certain times, when words must fail, translate the unknown?

Making Sense or Not?
If this rave isn’t making sense but you’re still reading, then as they say, I guess you have to be there; rehearsing, making the music, and feeling it go through you. But Bach will be speaking for himself, in the Dunedin Town Hall, Saturday 16 April, 7:30 pm.

Bach concert on Saturday!

2011-04-13T09:07:00.002+12:00

We are getting very excited now with the Bach Mass in B minor performance coming up on Saturday - yes, 16 April, 7:30 pm in Dunedin Town Hall. Don't miss this performance, it's going to be awesome!

At last night's performance David Burchell, choir director/conductor, was pleased that so much of our rendition sounds so fine. Of course we still worked long and hard on some curly and hairy passages, but no doubt all the kinks will be ironed out by Saturday. We have another two rehearsals to finally polish our performance.

I just love this Mass - it is really very beautiful - and I think if you ask the other choir singers, they'll all agree. My personal favourite is the 'Sanctus'. The higher voices dance along delicately like angels, while the basses provide a booming, solid foundation. The masterful Bach knew just how to combine these opposites into a pleasing whole. Have a listen:

Tickets for this concert are on sale now at Ticketdirect online or at the Regent ticket office - get your ticket now!

Tickets for accompanied school age children are free, and student rush tickets at $10 (must show student ID) are available at the door in the last 30 minutes before the concert starts.

Virtual Choir 2011

2011-04-08T20:37:00.005+12:00

At long last, here's the final video: Eric Whitacre's song 'Sleep' - 2052 performances combining as one powerful rendition! The 2011 Virtual Choir video features 2052 performances of 'Sleep' from 1752 singers in 58 countries, individually recorded and uploaded to YouTube.

I celebrated my 60th birthday recently and have been singing in auditioned choirs all my life, from age 5! However, recording my part for the VC is the HARDEST singing I’ve ever done. I lost count of how many attempts I made at the recording – the slightest voice wobble or error in breathing sticks out like a sore thumb and you feel so exposed! Gone is the comfort and confidence that the presence of choir mates all around you provides. Even so, I’m glad I persevered and I’m awfully proud to be a part of this huge undertaking.

Tamsin Jones (Alto) also participated in VC 2011 (or VC 2.0 as it is sometimes called) and had the good fortune to be at the Paley Center in New York for the premiere on Thursday, April 7, 2011 6:00 pm ET (US) - that was 10:00 am on Friday morning here in New Zealand. Here is what she says:

"I attended the premiere in NYC and was actually interviewed during the event. The video is here http://www.paleycenter.org/2011-spring-eric-whitacre and I'm interviewed about 43mins in. But the whole video is worth a watch if you haven't seen it yet.

I got to meet Eric Whitacre after the show, and we were even filmed by American ABC having a chat with him. And a reporter from New Scientist was asking me questions too. It was super fun and a great experience."

A first peep at VC 2.0

2011-04-02T21:28:00.000+13:00

Eric Whitacre talking about Virtual Choir 2.0 with a premiere of the first 3 minutes of Sleep - sung by 2051 singers from 58 countries! This is the stuff of goosebumps...

Sublime Voices at Knox

2011-03-30T12:11:00.000+13:00

Voices NZ Chamber Choir concert on Friday 15 April

at 7:30pm at Knox Church

Et in terra pax

2011-03-18T22:58:00.002+13:00

Et in terra pax from Bach's Mass in B minor, here beautifully performed by unidentified choir and orchestra. The conductor is Herbert Blomstedt, originally from Sweden. Blomstedt is currently Conductor Laureate of the San Francisco Symphony and Honorary Conductor of the Bamberg Symphony, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, NHK Symphony, Swedish Radio Symphony and Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra.

This is a "preview" for City of Dunedin Choir's concert on 16 April. Don't miss this performance of Bach's delightful, beautiful Mass.

Tickets on sale NOW

2011-03-16T14:27:00.002+13:00

Tickets are now on sale for the performance of Bach's Mass in B minor.

Get yours now from Ticketdirect or a choir member!

And if you join the Friends of the Choir you will qualify for a free ticket when you buy one or more tickets to City of Dunedin Choir concerts. There is still time - contact us today to join the Friends of the Choir.

Stabat Mater Dolorosa

2011-03-16T10:40:00.017+13:00

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi

Sunday 27 March, 3 pm at Knox Church, George Street, Dunedin

Stabat Mater Dolorosa by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi

Solists: Rae Shurbutt and Claire Barton

Otago Girls' High School Choir
Knox Church Choir
Invitation Orchestra

Conducted by Karen Knudson

Admission by programme, $10

Bach Mass in B Minor: Kyrie

2011-03-15T10:19:00.011+13:00

This is the second 'Kyrie eleison' (page 26 in the score) - from the 2000 performance of the Mass in B minor (BWV 232) for the conclusion of Bachfest 2000, in honor of the 250th anniversary of the composer's death.

From the St. Thomas Church, Leipzig, Germany
Thomaskantor Georg Christoph Biller (the 16th since Bach)
The Thomanerchor
The Gewandhausorchester Leipzig

COMMUNITY CHORAL WORKSHOP

2011-03-14T10:17:00.000+13:00

YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A COMMUNITY CHORAL WORKSHOP

SINGING in the SOUTH AFRICAN style

plus a little extra from Madagascar

with JULIAN RAFAEL, Director of the Wellington Community Choir

Julian has recently returned from a three week study and concert tour of South Africa with Village Harmony and Matlakala Bopape, musical director of the Polokwane Choral Society where he was taught a variety of contemporary folk and praise songs that are well-known throughout South Africa. The music is wonderfully infectious and captivating and suitable for all levels of experience. Songs, in 4-part harmony are taught by ear and accompanied with dancing.

WORKSHOP DETAILS
Saturday 7th May, 10—3.30
at St Clair Primary School
135 Richardson St, St Clair, Dunedin
Fees: $40 ($30 unwaged) for the day. Please bring a dish for a shared lunch.
Telephone Alison for enquiries: 487 7721
Register at: communitymusic@xtra.co.nz

Young Julie Andrews - Polonaise from Mignon

2011-03-13T09:32:00.004+13:00

I thought you all might appreciate this lovely old recording of a very young Julie Andrews, long before she grabbed a magical carpet bag or donned the habit and became world famous in Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music.

(In case you wondered, that top note at the end is an F, I think!)

Looking for former members

2011-03-07T21:51:00.001+13:00

The year 2013 will be a big year for City of Dunedin Choir as we will be celebrating 150 years of singing!

We would like to contact as many of the retired or otherwise former members of the choir to invite them to join us in the celebrations. Here is a list of "missing" persons and if anyone can help us to contact any of these people, please email us to codc.info@gmail.com

Paulette Ball
Patricia Arthur
Alison Metcalfe
Martin Snell
Peter de Blois
Diccon Sim
Marilyn Stewart
Shirley Fraser
David Mills
Jackie Wright
Linda Harvey
Roger Wilson

Christchurch will not walk alone

2011-03-01T15:05:00.002+13:00

Here are some images from the civic ceremony held in the Octagon in support of the victims of the Christchurch earthquake. Tuesday 1 March 12:51 in the Octagon, Dunedin - two minutes silence. (Photos by John Roxborogh)

Dunedin Civic Remembrance for Christchurch

2011-02-28T09:27:00.001+13:00

Tuesday 1 March 12:51 in the Octagon, Dunedin - two minutes silence for the victims of the recent Christchurch earthquake.

City of Dunedin Choir will lead the citizens in the singing of the national anthem and "You'll Never Walk Alone".

Photo gallery 2011: Proms

2011-02-27T21:17:00.002+13:00

The Southern Sinfonia presented this "Last Night of the Proms" concert in the Oamaru Opera House. City of Dunedin Choir joined the Sinfonia players and a grand time was had by all, including the very enthusiastic audience!

(The first batch of photos were taken by Leta and the last 11 photos were taken by John Roxborogh.)

Most enjoyable Proms

2011-02-25T23:10:00.000+13:00

Thank you Southern Sinfonia, that was a lovely Last Night of the Proms concert - we enjoyed being on stage with you all! So for the folks who missed tonight's awesome performance, there's another chance tomorrow if you want to take a drive over to the Oamaru Opera House.

Anna Leese was just beautiful and sang like the Nightingale in Berkeley Square:

"A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square" sung by Sonia Sjöbeck in 1943.

Toy Story 3 = Awesome! (The Facebook Song)

2011-02-21T15:41:00.002+13:00

Australian Voices are at it again:

This is, well, awesome :-)

Enjoy!

Singing Teachers

2011-02-17T10:51:00.001+13:00

Are you looking for a singing teacher?
Not sure that you should get singing tuition?

Have a look at the NEWZATS website. NEWZATS is the New Zealand Association for Teachers of Singing.

You could email the folks at NEWZATS if you'd like a referral to a singing teacher in your area: enquiries@newzats.org.nz

You could also contact Judy Bellingham or Isobel Cunningham at the University of Otago Department of Music for advice and a referral.

Singing at the Proms

2011-02-16T11:32:00.002+13:00

As usual City of Dunedin Choir will try to lift the roof at the Last Night of the Proms! See you there!!

Choir archive photos 1947 to 1994

2011-02-12T22:02:00.003+13:00

Hover the cursor near the bottom of the black frame to see the controls. Click the speech bubble on the left to see the captions. The slideshow will play automatically until you start using the controls; then you'll need to advance by clicking the arrows.

Bad opera joke

2011-02-09T08:11:00.003+13:00

Don't blame me for this one - it is from my husband.

Q: To what question is the answer 9W?

A: "Do you spell your name with a 'V', Herr Wagner?"

(told you it was awful!)

Tannhäuser

2011-02-08T16:05:00.000+13:00

Here's another taste of what's waiting to delight the audience at the forthcoming Proms concert - 'The entry of the guests' from Wagner's Tannhäuser.

Proms

2011-02-05T20:36:00.003+13:00

The Proms concert with the Southern Sinfonia is coming up again soon.

Like last year, the Choir will probably be required to sing from memory during the second half of the concert, so here is advance notice of the second half programme, except of course that the national anthems are sung right at the start (also from memory):

God Save the Queen
God save our gracious Queen
Long live our noble Queen
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God Save the Queen!

God Defend New Zealand
God of Nations at Thy feet,
In the bonds of love we meet,
Hear our voices, we entreat,
God defend our free land.
Guard Pacific's triple star
From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar,
God defend New Zealand.

E Ihowā Atua,
O ngā iwi mātou rā
Āta whakarangona;
Me aroha noa
Kia hua ko te pai;
Kia tau tō atawhai;
Manaakitia mai
Aotearoa

Men of every creed and race,
Gather here before Thy face,
Asking Thee to bless this place,
God defend our free land.
From dissension, envy, hate,
And corruption guard our state,
Make our country good and great,
God defend New Zealand.

(Yes, we need to memorise the words for all three verses.)

Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance

Land of Hope and Glory
Land of Hope and Glory, Mother of the Free,
How shall we extol thee, who are born of thee?
Wider still, and wider, shall thy bounds be set;
God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet!

Rule Britannia
Here the choir sings only the chorus:
Rule Brittania! Brittania rule the waves
Britons never shall be slaves
(Bryn Terfel, bass-baritone)

Jerusalem
And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among those dark Satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!

I will not cease from mental fight
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
'Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land

Auld Lang Syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days of auld lang syne?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet,
For days of auld lang syne!

And there's a hand my trusty friend,
And give a hand of thine,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet,
For days of auld lang syne!

Repeat chorus

Haere ra / Po Atarau

Haere ra
te manu tangi pai
E haere ana
koe ki pamamao

Haere ra
ka hoki mai ano
Ki i te tau e tangi atu nei

Now is the hour
when we must say goodbye
Soon you'll be sailing
far across the sea

While you're away
oh, please remember me
When you return you'll find me waiting here

Are you a Gleek yet?

2011-02-05T16:13:00.004+13:00

Okay - I'll admit it. Over the last few months, I've become a Gleek.

What's a Gleek? A fan of the hit series "Glee" of course! "Glee" is a musical comedy series about a high school glee club in the USA.

The series has heaps of great music, and while the standard of supposedly typical high school singers is a bit unbelievable (most of the cast are professional performers with long CVs, and some are off Broadway), it's a lot of fun.

So if you're not a Gleek yet, and you love music and good TV, here's a few snippets to convince you to start following and join the legion of fans :-)

A conductor is born

2011-02-03T20:09:00.000+13:00

This is 3 year old Jonathan conducting to the 4th movement of Beethoven's 5th Symphony. This piece was originally conducted by Herbert von Karajan and the Berliner Philharmoniker, one of Jonathan's favorite conductors and orchestras. Jonathan's passion for classical music became apparent when he was only eight months old. Shortly after that he began conducting on his own.

Proms preview

2011-02-01T23:51:00.000+13:00

In June 2006 City of Dunedin Choir performed the beautiful "Vesperae Solennes de Confessore" by Mozart. At this year's Last Night of the Proms concerts presented by Southern Sinfonia on 25 and 26 February, we'll be singing the 'Laudate Dominum' from this work again.

We are looking forward to performing this movement with soprano Anna Leese!

Enjoy the "preview"...

Monumental Mass from Bach

2011-01-21T11:16:00.001+13:00

J.S. Bach

The Mass in B minor (BWV 232) is a musical setting of the complete Latin Mass by Johann Sebastian Bach. The work was one of Bach's last, although much of it was made of music that Bach had composed earlier. Bach assembled the Mass in its present form in 1749, just before his death in 1750.

It was unusual for composers working in the Lutheran tradition to compose a Missa tota (complete mass) and Bach's motivations remain a matter of scholarly debate. The Mass was most probably never performed in totality during Bach's lifetime, and the work largely disappeared in the 18th century. Several performances in the early 19th century, however, sparked a revival both of the piece and the larger rediscovery of Bach's music. Today, it is widely hailed as a monumental work of the late Baroque and is frequently performed.

Bach did not give the work a title; instead, in the score four parts of the Latin Mass are each given their own title page - "Kyrie", "Gloria", "Symbolum Nicaenum" (the profession of faith or Credo), and "Sanctus, Hosanna, Benedictus, Agnus Dei" - and simply bundled together. Indeed, the different sections call for different numbers and arrangements of performers, giving rise to the theory that Bach did not ever expect the two-hour-long work to be performed in its entirety. On the other hand, the parts in the manuscript are numbered from 1 to 4, and Bach's usual closing formula (S.D.G = Soli Deo Gloria) is only found at the end of the Dona Nobis Pacem.

The Mass in B minor is widely regarded as one of the supreme achievements of classical music. In the booklet to the recording of "The 'Great Mass' in B minor" by Philippe Herreweghe and Collegium Vocale Gent (released from Harmonia Mundi, HML5901614.15, 1999) Alberto Basso summarizes the work as follows:

"The Mass in B minor is the consecration of a whole life: started in 1733 for 'diplomatic' reasons, it was finished in the very last years of Bach's life, when he had already gone blind. This monumental work is a synthesis of every stylistic and technical contribution the Cantor of Leipzig made to music. But it is also the most astounding spiritual encounter between the worlds of Catholic glorification and the Lutheran cult of the cross.".

Source: Wikipedia

City of Dunedin Choir will be performing this monumental mass on 16 April 2011 - mark this date in your diary and keep an eye on our Concerts page for details as these unfold.

Final count for VC

2011-01-15T16:06:00.004+13:00

The final count for participants in Eric Whitaker's "Sleep" Virtual Choir project is 2052 videos uploaded to Youtube from all over the world, with eight submissions from New Zealand, three of those from Dunedin.

Not surprisingly, most submissions come from the UK and the USA.

Now we're waiting for the tech team to put the virtual choir together - imagine what a load of work that must be. I'll post the final video on this blog as soon as it is ready. Watch this space...

If you've missed it, here's the background to this story...

Bach B Minor Mass on Keys to Music

2011-01-10T21:12:00.001+13:00

I've recieved the following message from Scott Blackwell:

Have just listened to a brilliant radio broadcast (on the internet: http://www.abc.net.au/classic/keys/) about the Bach B Minor Mass, the first of three 55-minute shows on the weekly ABC Classic FM programme Keys to Music, with musicologist and music historian Graham Abbott.

Have a look on the ABC page in the "Listen to Recent Programmes" section for the audio for the first show in the series. The second show will be broadcast on ABC Classic FM on Saturday 15 January at 9:05 am.

City of Dunedin Choir will be performing the B Minor Mass on Saturday 16 April 2011. Would you like to join the choir and sing this wonderful music in the April performance? Contact our membership secretary, Loraine, and come to the first 2011 rehearsal on Tuesday 1 February!

2011 Concert Season

2011-01-01T20:08:00.000+13:00

Last Night of the Proms
Friday 25 February, 7:30pm at Dunedin Town Hall
Saturday 26 February, 7:00pm at Oamaru Opera House

The Southern Sinfonia presents this annual Proms concert at which the City of Dunedin Choir provides the choral support. Featuring a dazzling line-up: Conductor Hamish McKeich with soloist Anna Leese and the City of Dunedin Choir, and introducing Miles Chen, Cello, and Chris Geddes, Composer.

The Choir performed "Laudate Dominum" from Mozart's Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, and "Arrival of the Guests" from Richard Wagner's Tannhauser.

Bach's Mass in B minor
Saturday 16 April, 7:30pm, Dunedin Town Hall

The City of Dunedin Choir, supported by the Southern Sinfonia and conducted by David Burchell, presents Bach's Mass in B Minor. The soloists for this performance are:

Lois Johnston, Soprano
Sarah Court, Mezzo-Soprano
John Murray, Tenor
Daniel O'Connor, Baritone

The Mass in B Minor (BWV 232) is a musical setting of the complete Latin Mass by Johann Sebastian Bach. The work was one of Bach's last, although much of it was made of music that Bach had composed earlier. Bach assembled the Mass in its present form in 1749, just before his death in 1750. Read more about the Mass...

Belshazzar

Walton's Belshazzar's Feast
Saturday 16 July, 8:00pm, Dunedin Town Hall

Dane Lam, Conductor, Paul Whelan, Bass Baritone, and City of Dunedin Choir perform in this concert presented by the Southern Sinfonia.

Programme:

Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Copland: Appalachian Spring
Walton: Belshazzar's Feast

Drama in Babylon! The king commits sacrilege and is miraculously killed, the kingdom falls, and the Jews regain their freedom. This strongly rhythmic and richly orchestrated work, with soloist and choir, has remained one of Walton's most celebrated compositions. By contrast, Appalachian Spring depicts a happy celebration of the American pioneers, and includes a section based on a well-known Shaker melody. "Unlike many bass voices, Paul Whelan's is a wondrously flexible (voice)... that most other basses would give their eye teeth to emulate." Wellingtonian Paul won the 1993 Cardiff Singer of the World Competition, and since then has appeared at the world's most prestigious opera houses, including the New York Metropolitan Opera and English National Opera. Talented young Australian conductor Dane Lam set the orchestra and audience alight at his Dunedin début concert last year. Expect a thrilling and inspired performance!

Claire Barton Farewells Dunedin
Saturday 20 August, 8:00pm, Dunedin Town Hall

In September 2011 Claire will begin study towards a Post Graduate Artist Diploma at Trinity Laban in London. Before she leaves she is performing in a fundraising concert with proceeds going towards fees, travel and living costs.

Expect an evening full of entertainment from some of Dunedin’s best performers including Claire Barton, mezzo-soprano, the City of Dunedin Choir, the Dunedin RSA Choir, pianist Julia Horsnell, and many more.

City of Dunedin Choir performed:

Bach: Mass in B Minor 'Kyrie eleison'
Mozart: Requiem: 'Sanctus' and 'Benedictus'
Handel: Messiah: 'O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion'

Tickets are available from www.ticketdirect.co.nz or from the Regent Theatre Box Office, phone 03 477-8597

Last Night of the Proms
Thursday 22 September, 7:30pm, Dunedin Town Hall

The Southern Sinfonia presents a second Proms concert this year and as usual the City of Dunedin Choir provides the choral support. Featuring a dazzling line-up with conductor Tecwyn Evans and MC Kate Meade. The solist is bass-baritone Judd Arthur.

The Choir performs with the Southern Sinfonia:

Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture
Verdi: Il Trovatore, the Anvil Chorus (Gipsy Chorus)

NZSO: Odes to Joy
Wednesday 28 September, 6:30pm, Dunedin Town Hall
Presented by NZSO

Pietari Inkinen conductor
Madeleine Pierard soprano
Sarah Castle mezzo-soprano
Simon O’Neill tenor
Jonathan Lemalu bass
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Voices NZ Chamber Choir and City of Dunedin Choir

Programme:

FARR Kaitiaki
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9 Choral Symphony

New Zealand's proud tradition of producing great voices continues into the next generation, and four of our modern greats are assembled here with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra to perform the magnificent Ode to Joy. Beethoven's intensely emotional expression of hope for mankind is the apotheosis of Romantic optimism, a work which your soul needs to hear to gain replenishment and exhilaration. It is paired with a specially-commissioned new work by Gareth Farr, revered among today’s composers for his ability to conjure spectacular and magical sound-worlds, with words by Witi Ihimaera. An evening of uplifting music you won't want to miss, led by NZSO Music Director Pietari Inkinen.

Handel's Messiah
Tuesday 13 December, 7:30pm, Regent Theatre

The City of Dunedin Choir and the Southern Sinfonia jointly present Handel's admired oratorio Messiah.
Conductor: David Burchell

Anna Leese, Soprano
Wendy Doyle, Mezzo-soprano
Cameron Barclay, Tenor
Chalium Poppy, Bass-baritone

Messiah (HWV 56) is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, with a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. It was first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742, and received its London premiere nearly a year later. After an initially modest public reception the oratorio gained in popularity, eventually becoming one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music. For over 260 years people of different religious persuasions have enjoyed this grand choral work.

2010 ends for Choir

2010-12-25T10:37:00.001+13:00

The last rehearsal for 2010 at City of Dunedin Choir went something like this:

First we worked really really hard at mastering some of the notes in Bach's B Minor Mass. I love the music, but as with composers like Bach and Handel, their works usually have 'too many' notes! One has to concentrate all the time - if you miss a note or a beat you are lost! Mmm... and after a long day at the office powers of concentration are not what they could be. Anyhow, we did well and David said it sounded all angelic, just as it is supposed to! Great.

It being the last rehearsal of the year a sumptious supper was laid on - thanks to those members who contributed the scrumdiddlyumptious nibblies!

After the singing we grabbed a quick cup of tea and it was over to Rosi, the Fun Quiz Master, to put us throught our paces. Well done to the 'February' team - first to get to the right answers and unscramble the letters to arrive at: I LOVE BACH

Having earned it, we socialised and tucked into those wonderful nibblies, YUM!

AND... the winners of the annual Christmas hampers were drawn. Don't they look gorgeous? Thanks to everyone for your contributions, selling tickets, and Rebecca for organising the fund-raiser.

Next it was Deborah's turn to thanks the special people: Michael (Assistant Conductor), Roland (Accompanist) and David (Director) and wish everybody well for the festive season. The evening was wrapping up fast, but then came the big surprise: everyone was still milling about socialising when David and Roland got us going singing the Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah - unprepared, from memory!

What a wonderful way to end a very busy year of choral singing. Don't forget, we start rehearsing again on Tuesday 1 February 2011 and first up on the programme we'll join the Southern Sinfonia in two performances of The Last Night of the Proms, and then our Bach B Minor Mass concert is in April.

Are you a singer looking for a choir to join? We'd love to welcome you to the City of Dunedin Choir - contact us today!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T11:00:00.004+13:00

A few days ago, a whole stack of my friends were involved in a Hallelujah Chorus flash mob in Melbourne.

I thought people might enjoy the Youtube of the event. For me, it's a bit like watching a "who's who" among my Melbourne friends :-) The flashmob was conducted by old time mate Trevor Jones, who is awesome.

So - next year in the Meridien for City Choir, maybe?

Have a lovely Christmas, everyone, and see you in 2011!