In this issue: Online Giving Direction and Singing Matters workshops / Support us through membership / Announcing The Big Sing regional adjudicators / NZCF-SOUNZ Choral Composition Competitions / Date change for The Next Big Thing / Upcoming NZCF Board elections
Dear <<First Name>>,
Of all the benefits to NZCF membership that we’ve been promoting this month, the one that speaks most to me is the feeling of belonging. Being part of a community where I feel welcome and experience shared values, but can also take risks and accept challenges.
NZCF’s key strategic goal of Diversity and Reach and our core value of Inclusivity means we are constantly working to foster a community where all singers feel welcome, and see themselves reflected and respected. From Pasifika teenagers performing gospel on stage at The Big Sing to members of rest home and therapeutic groups singing for wellbeing and connection.
As a board we have been considering how our leadership team can better reflect the diverse strands of Aotearoa NZ’s singing communities. Diverse teams bring new and varying perspectives to decision making and problem solving and with this year’s Governance Board elections we have a real opportunity to ensure we have a range of voices at our table including, as you’ll read in the article below, actively seeking a Pasifika board member.
As departing Chair I am encouraged not only by what we have achieved but what we will achieve in the future in celebrating diversity, access, inclusion – and belonging.
Ngā manaakitanga ki a koutou,
Juliet Dreaver
Governance Board Chair New Zealand Choral Federation Te Kotahitanga Manu Reo o Aotearoa
Online upskilling for choral leaders Following last year's successful sessions, we're offering our popular Giving Direction and Singing Matters workshops online again this year with David Squire, Rowan Johnston, and Megan Flint. Click through to find out more.
Support us through membership Supporting NZCF through Personal membership helps us support the NZ choral sector as a whole. You'll also get discounted entry to NZCF events. Join or renew your Personal membership by April and save even more!
TBS 2022 Regional Adjudicators We're thrilled to announce Karen Grylls, David Hamilton, and Andrew Withington as our adjudicators for The Big Sing regional festivals in June. Click through to read their bios. Registrations close on March 18th.
Calling young composers! Entries are now open for the 2022 SOUNZ-NZCF Choral Composition Competition and Te Reo Māori Choral Composition Award. We're delighted that Anthony Ritchie and Reuben Rameka will be this year's adjudicators.
The Next Big Thing date change Due to the current Omicron outbreak, we're postponing our new event for 18-25 year olds - originally planned for early April - to the weekend of 26-27 November in Wellington.
Upcoming NZCF Board elections Notices will go out later this month for nominations to the NZCF Governance Board. We hope this will be an opportunity to increase diversity within the leadership of our organisation.
Choral Vacancies
Set of choir risers for sale from the Mosaic Waikato Modern Choir
Chamber choir seeking new Administrator
Tenor or light baritone needed for Auckland-based 11-voice contemporary a capella vocal ensemble rehearsing in Epsom.
