In this issue: Rollo Dilworth at Sing Aotearoa & Choral Connect / Kiwis at WSCM 2023 / Gondwana Chorale in NZ / City of Auckland Singers celebrate 50 years / Meet our newest Board members / Dame Gillian Whitehead to adjudicate SOUNZ-NZCF composition competitions / Julia Hollander: Why we sing / Changes to the Incorporated Societies Act
Kia ora <<First Name>>,
We know we’re 'preaching to the choir' when we feature articles about the benefits of group singing. However, we feel somewhat validated when news stories, features and interviews appear in the mainstream media. One of these was a fascinating conversation on RNZ's Nine to Noon last month with Julia Hollander about her book Why We Sing. Julia doesn't just say that singing is good for us, she contends that humans are actually hardwired to sing but societal changes have more recently discouraged us from doing so. If you didn’t catch the interview at the time, it’s well worth a listen – just click through from the article in this newsletter.
Rollo Dilworth's response to why we sing lies in his arrangement of I Sing Because I’m Happy. NZCF is very happy to announce that Rollo will be our guest international presenter at both Choral Connect and Sing Aotearoa later this year. We're also delighted to announce that Australia's Godwana Chorale have agreed to be our choir-in-residence for a day. Registrations for both events are now open and you'll find information about our other key conductors and presenters on the NZCF website.
Speaking of conferences, a healthy contingent of nine New Zealanders is soon to set off to Istanbul for the World Symposium on Choral Music. Jono Palmer and Elise Bradley will be co-presenting a paper titled The Voices of Moana-nui-a-Kiwa (Oceania), while Fiona Wilson has been selected to take part in conducting masterclasses and Brydon Sundgren will participate in IFCM's YOUNG programme.
After 50 years of performing together, The City of Auckland Singers are in no doubt about why they sing! Julia Banks shares some of the choir's highlights and previews their trip to Italy in 2024.
Also in this eBreve, we announce the election of two new NZCF Board members, introduce you to our 2023 SOUNZ-NZCF Composition Competition adjudicator, and draw your attention to upcoming changes for incorporated societies.
Wishing you a happy Easter!
Christine Argyle
Chief Executive New Zealand Choral Federation Te Kotahitanga Manu Reo o Aotearoa
Come and sing with Rollo Dilworth Renowned American conductor and composer Rollo Dilworth is coming to NZ in September as our key presenter at both Choral Connect and Sing Aotearoa. He'll be working alongside Igelese Ete, Karen Grylls and Tim Wayne-Wright among others. Registrations are now open - click through to read more.
Kiwis chosen to attend WSCM2023 Fiona Wilson and Brydon Sundgren have each been chosen to participate in the World Symposium on Choral Music in Istanbul later this month. Fiona will take part in conducting masterclasses with Ragnar Ragmussen and Brydon will be part of IFCM's YOUNG International Cultural Management programme.
Gondwana Chorale at CC '23 Don't miss Australia's national youth choir Gondwana Chorale at this year's Choral Connect. The NZ Children's Choral Academy will also run a course alongside the conference, enabling delegates to observe Elise Bradley working with young singers. Registrations are now open - be sure to book your professional development!
Solid Gold Celebration Last month The City of Auckland Singers celebrated 50 years under the direction of Sue and Bruce Murray. With half a century of experience behind them, the choir is off to Italy next year to join the Alta Pusteria International Choir Festival set amongst the scenic Dolomites in Northern Italy...
New NZCF Board members We're pleased to announce the election of Robin Randall and Raymond Tan to the NZCF Governance Board. Robin was HOD Music at Marlborough Girls' for 25 years, while Raymond has specialised in strategic planning and financial management for over 20 years. They will join the Board following our AGM in May 2023.
Meet our Composition adjudicator We're delighted that Dame Gillian Karawe Whitehead will adjudicate both of our SOUNZ-NZCF composition awards this year. Click through to read more about Dame Gillian, and for more information on our secondary student composition awards visit the composition page of our website. Entries close 19 May.
The power of song Listen to English singing therapist Julia Hollander talking to Kathryn Ryan on RNZ's Nine to Noon about how our lifelong relationship with melody begins in the womb, and the ways in which singing can inspire, sustain and heal us, from the cradle to the grave.
Changes required under new act A new Incorporated Societies Act was passed last year and comes into effect from October 2023. If your choir is an incorporated society you will need to re-register sometime before April 2026 and may need to make some changes to your constitution. Click through to find out more.
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