'Tis the season

eBreve 2 December 2022

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In this issue: Save the Dates for Sing Aotearoa & Choral Connect/ Welcome to Melissa Absolum / Tributes flow for Jenny McLeod / Big Sing Coordinators needed in Wellington & Auckland / André de Quadros at Choral Connect '21 / The 32 'best ever' Christmas carols

Kia ora <<First Name>>,

The passing of New Zealand composer Jenny McLeod this week represents the loss of a unique creative spirit who was a trailblazer in her compositions bringing Māori and Pākehā closer together through song. Her work He Iwi Kotahi Tātou (We Are One People) was written for NZCF's Sing Aotearoa festival in 1993 and the title echoes the words pronounced by Governor Hobson at the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Had Jenny been at Choral Connect last year, there's no doubt she would have applauded the presentation by André de Quadros on Building Bridges, Replacing Coloniality (featured in this edition of eBreve), as this was a subject dear to her own heart.

Thirty years on from Jenny's seminal work of 1993, and it's wonderful to be able to experience a plethora of musical collaborations between Māori, Pākehā and our Pacific peoples. Last night's Mana Moana collaboration between the NZSO and Wellington's Signature Choir of 50 Pasifika singers was a truly joyous event at the Michael Fowler Centre. Next weekend sees the Signature Choir, Orpheus Choir and NZ Opera Chorus come together in Porirua for a repeat season of the opera Ihitai’Avei’a – Star Navigator by Tim Finn, Tom McLeod and Célestine Hitiura Vaite. Our own Sing Aotearoa festival next year in Auckland will celebrate the many and diverse cultures of Aotearoa New Zealand, with performances, workshops and group singing opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds.

For many of you, December will be a busy month of Christmas performances and carol-singing. Whatever your plans for the festive season, I hope you will find moments of peace and joy, and that the holiday period will offer a much-needed chance to relax and re-charge ahead of what we all hope will be a busy and vibrant year of song in 2023!

Meri Kirihimete | Merry Christmas!

Christine Argyle
Chief Executive
New Zealand Choral Federation
Te Kotahitanga Manu Reo o Aotearoa

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News

Sing Aotearoa & Choral Connect '23
We're hosting two of NZCF's flagship events back-to-back in the September/October school holidays next year and invite you to save the dates now! Click through to find out more.

Changes on the NZCF Board
We're delighted to introduce Melissa Absolum, who has recently been co-opted to the NZCF Board, and say farewell and a sincere thank you to Robert Wiremu and Megan Hurnard.

Tributes flow for Jenny McLeod
We were sad to hear of the passing of one of New Zealand's most significant composers this week, Jenny McLeod, whose connection to NZCF goes back to our inaugural conference in 1985. Karen Grylls and Roy Tankersley share precious memories, and we link to tributes by SOUNZ and Elizabeth Kerr.

Seeking The Big Sing coordinators
We're on the hunt for two new regional coordinators for The Big Sing festivals in Wellington and Auckland, as well as a local coordinator for the 2023 National Finale in Auckland. Click through to find out more about what's involved, and if you think you'd be a good fit, we'd love to hear from you!

André de Quadros at CC '21
In our next video release from the 2021 Choral Connect conference, we hear from conductor, ethnomusicologist and human rights activist André de Quadros, with his presentation "Building Bridges, Replacing Coloniality."

What's your favourite carol?
With the Christmas season upon us again, BBC Music Magazine has compiled a list of the 32 'best carols of all time', complete with videos and fun facts for each. How does their list of favourites compare with your own?

Advertisements and Vacancies

Associate Director, Wellington Young Voices

Director of Choirs, Holy Trinity Cathedral

Browse upcoming NZCF Member Choir concerts

Collaborative Pianist, Auckland Youth Choir

Music Director, Hutt City Chorale

Music Director sought

Music Director, Wellington Youth Choir

Choir risers for sale in Canterbury

Contact eBreve:
office @nzcf.org.nz

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NZCF receives substantial funding from Creative New Zealand and the Ministry of Youth Development .

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