History of the City of Dunedin Choir
The Early Days
The City of Dunedin Choir, one of New Zealand's oldest community choirs, has been entertaining audiences around the region for nearly 150 years.
The present-day choir traces its origins back to two choral groups, the Musical Union and the Choral Society, which were formed in 1863 and amalgamated the following year.
The name Dunedin Choral Society was introduced a few years later. Because of its precarious financial situation, the society went into recess several times, but has maintained an unbroken programme of performances since 1914.
The Dunedin Choral Society changed its name to Schola Cantorum in 1967, upon merging with the University Union Choir, and then to City of Dunedin Choir in 1993, the year it celebrated 130 years of existence.
Vice-Regal Patronage
The Choir's immediate past Patron was the Hon. Dame Silvia Cartwright. According to the Choir's archives stored at the Hocken Library Mr H.S. Chapman, Supreme Court Judge, was Patron in 1878 and Governor, the Earl of Ranfurly, was Patron in 1898. The records also show that Sir Hercules Robinson, Governor from 1874 - 1880, attended several concerts during his time as Governor, but was not a patron.
The Musical Directors
Over the years the choir has been led and inspired by many talented and dedicated musical directors including Victor Galway, Vernon Griffiths, Alfred Walmsley, W.H. Walden Mills, Edgar Clayton, Peter Platt, Jack Spiers, Ken Smith, Peter Warwick, Raymond White, Judy Bellingham, Peter Adams and, currently, David Burchell.
Undoubtedly the drive and vision of its directors are among the reasons for the choir's longevity and success, combined with the committment of singers, behind-the-scenes committee work, audience support, and financial assistance from national and local arts funding agencies, the Dunedin City Council, other local bodies, and community trusts, for which the choir is most grateful.
The Repertoire
Soloists and conductor for the performance of Bach's St Matthew Passion in 2005. From left to right: David Hansen, Shaun Dixon, David Hamilton, David Griffiths, Pepe Becker, David Burchell, Grant Dixon.
The choir's repertoire is extensive: encompassing the great Baroque, Romantic and Classical orchestral works, and including contemporary New Zealand choral music.
The Choir's membership stands at around 120 and is usually involved in four or five concerts a year. The Choir regularly performs with the Southern Sinfonia and occasionally have performed with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
The singing year begins with the annual Proms concert in February with the Southern Sinfonia, and every second year the Choir stages Handel's Messiah in December - an event which is now a Dunedin tradition. The Southern Sinfonia engages the Choir each year to perform a choral work in one of its orchestral concerts and the Choir itself stages a major work annually, either in conjunction with the Southern Sinfonia or with piano or organ accompaniment.