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| City of Dunedin Choir with conductor David Burchell Photo: Bill Nichol, 2009 |
As Dunedin's leading exponent of large-scale choral works, the Choir strives for the highest standards in performing the classics of the repertoire, such as Bach's St Matthew Passion and St John Passion, Handel's Messiah (which it has performed about 120 times!), the Verdi Requiem and the Brahms Requiem.
The Choir provides a forum for young, aspiring soloists and welcomes opportunities to perform with other choirs, such as the Invercargill A Capella Singers and the Auckland Choral Society.
The Choir is fortunate to have the orchestral support of the Southern Sinfonia for most of its concerts.
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Mission
It is the mission of the City of Dunedin Choir to make glorious music for the enjoyment of the wider Dunedin and southern New Zealand community.Vision
It is the vision of the City of Dunedin Choir to be "A Choir of Note" in New Zealand.Goals
To fulfill its Mission the Choir has set the following Goals:- To present choral music concerts or other entertainments to the general public (normally presenting or participating in five events annually),
- To encourage the performance and enjoyment of choral music by people of all ages and from all walks of life,
- To strive for an excellent standard of performance,
- To build good working relationships with the Southern Sinfonia, the University of Otago Music Department, the Dunedin Youth Orchestra and other New Zealand choirs, orchestras and bands,
- To provide opportunities for young musicians to gain experience in performances with the Choir,
- To associate with any other charitable New Zealand society or association having interests similar to that of the Choir, such as the New Zealand Choral Federation, and
- To ensure the prudent management of the Choir in accordance with its rules.
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 Speirs, 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 commitment 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
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.
Administration
The City of Dunedin Choir is administered by the Dunedin Choral Society Incorporated, limited to and exclusively for charitable purposes, in New Zealand. The activities of the Choir are administered by a Committee, elected at the Annual General Meeting.Principal Officers
| Patron | Professor Sir David Skegg OBE |
| Vice Patron | His Worship Mayor Dave Cull |
| Music Patron | Professor Terence Dennis MNZM |
| President | Joy Smith |
| Vice Presidents | Peter Adams, Judy Bellingham, Dr Harvey Brown, James Fulton, Dr Colin Gibson MNZ, Dulcie Gunn MNZ, Dame Elizabeth Hanan DNZM, Agnes Hodges, William Lloyd, Honor McKellar QSM |
| Life Members | Dr Harvey Brown, Eric Dunlop, Norma Dunlop, Agnes Hodges, Evelyn Lloyd, William Lloyd, Hugh Montgomery, Roland Storm, Joy Smith |
Musical Director
David Burchell became the Choir's Musical Director in January 2000. David also holds the position of Organist and Choir Director at Saint Paul's Anglican Cathedral in Dunedin. Read more about David...Accompanist
Roland StormAssistant Conductor
Mark AndersonCommittee
| Chair | Deborah Dons |
| Executive Secretary | John Bahr |
| Treasurer | Bren Moore |
| Librarian | Clare Kennelly |
| Membership Secretary | Loraine Whitwell |
| Publicist | Scott Blackwell |
| Production Manager | Warren Tate |
| Webmaster | Leta Labuschagne |
| Venue Co-ordinator | James Cordes |
Officers Outside Committee
| Dress Steward | Judy Tucker |
| Choir Marshall | Julia Lawson |
| Auditor | Philip Trounson |
| Honorary Archivist | Hugh Montgomery |
| Honorary Solicitor | Les Griffin |
Funding
The Choir receives a small annual civic grant from the Dunedin City Council.Fair Trade
City of Dunedin Choir is a certified Fair Trade Workplace.Social Media
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