In this issue: Four Distinguished Service Awards / 2021 Cadenza and Finale adjudicators / Join our AGM on Sunday 8 May / Featuring the Medena Ensemble / 50 years ago: Auckland University Festival Choir / Sing with the Auckland Philharmonia
Dear <<First Name>>,
On ANZAC Day a couple of weeks ago I’m sure many of you shared a thrill of pride, seeing and hearing the young singers of our national choirs – NZ Secondary Students' Choir and NZ Youth Choir - at key commemorative services at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park.
Both performances, and both choirs’ makeup, and repertoire, were uniquely of New Zealand – and showed the inspiring future face of our singing nation.
Stepping down from the NZCF Governance Board this week, I will remain involved with planning for the 2024 World Choir Games in Auckland, where we keenly anticipate many such expressions of identity, passion, and pride – from around the world as well as from Aotearoa New Zealand.
We join in song at moments of joy and sorrow, reflection, connection and celebration. As it did on Anzac Day, music can give voice to overwhelming emotion, and singing together can both express and create a collective spirit.
The most meaningful moments of my own life have involved choral music – both as singer and audience member. I’m grateful for its impact on my life, and for the efforts of those who’ve created the opportunities I’ve had. Our job as Board has been to continue to provide opportunities for people to sing together and for others to experience what they create.
It’s been a privilege to serve NZCF over these nine years and I look forward to contributing now in different ways, in support of the artform I love.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Juliet Dreaver
Chair New Zealand Choral Federation Te Kotahitanga Manu Reo o Aotearoa
News
Distinguished Service Awards Four local heros - Ngaire Shand, Glenys Kempshall, Ann-Elise Miles and Carrol Donoghue - have recently been nominated by their region for a Distinguished Service Award, in recognition of their outstanding service to NZCF.
Cadenza and Finale Adjudicators We're excited to announce our line-up of adjudicators for this year's Cadenza and Finale festivals. Between them, they bring a wealth of choral experience to the task of selecting the top secondary school choirs for 2021.
Join our AGM on Sunday 8 May You are warmly invited to join our Annual General Meeting at 2pm on Sunday 8 May in Auckland. And if you live outside Auckland, you can Zoom in to the meeting from the comfort of your couch. Click through for further details...
Meet our newest Member Choir Our newest members of the NZCF whānau are the Medena Ensemble, an Auckland-based choir specialising in Bulgarian women's polyphony. We asked their director, TUi MAMAKi, about her musical journey into the world of Bulgarian folk.
A trip down memory lane In 1972, the newly-formed Auckland University Festival Choir headed off for the tour of a lifetime to the US, UK and Europe with their director Peter Godfrey. Warwick Harvey recalls some of the memorable moments...
Come and sing Verdi with the APO Singers of all ages and abilities are invited to join the Auckland Philharmonia on Sunday 12 June for an afternoon of spectacular music-making in the Auckland Town Hall. Registrations close on Friday 13 May. Register now.
Advertisements and Vacancies
Choral Scholarships available at St Andrew's Epsom
Sing Verdi with the APO Sunday 12 June
Online professional development for choral leaders of all levels
Treasurer needed for our Auckland region
Music Director wanted for choir in Thames
Explore Bulgarian folk song in one-day workshops with TUi MAMAKi and the Medena ensemble
