Photos of Nature's Bounty

Singing in the Nature's Bounty concert on 23 March at Knox Church was an awesome experience for all choir members. Hats off to everyone, also Musical Director David Burchell, soloists Grace Park and Matthew Wilson,  and Southern Sinfonia.

The music was not easy (to put it mildly) and it was a demanding time for the choir with several additional Sunday afternoon rehearsals leading up to the performance. But, we are all in agreement, the hard work was well worth the effort. We are pleased that the audience enjoyed a beautiful concert.

Congratulations to Christopher Marshall, composer of the commissioned work For What Can Be More Beautiful? for a hugely successful composition!

Follow this link for a selection of photos from the performance:  Nature's Bounty concert on 23 March 2013 at Knox Church

Choir rises to a great challenge

ODT reviewer of the Nature's Bounty concert, Elizabeth Bouman,  says: "Choir rises to a great challenge" and "...compliments to all musicians and singers called upon to negotiate the endless rhythmic intricacies, and such fast-paced verbosity on growing all manner of fruit...". 

Yes, Verdi's Requiem will definitely be a piece of cake after this! The singers and musicians enjoyed performing all the music in the concert to a very appreciative audience. It was quite a thrill seeing all the smiling faces and hearing the thundering applause! Hats off and many thanks to Christopher Marshall for a beautiful composition: For What Can Be More Beautiful?.

What the audience said:

"I very much enjoyed the concert, especially the Marshall work -- a very exciting piece; the composer made deft use of his resources."

"The Southern Sinfonia did a marvellous job with the music and the choir's singing was a pleasure to listen to."

"Why did you put a seed catalogue to music?"

"Your words were very clear - often I didn't need to read the programme to know what you were singing about."

"Loved the Hiawatha - wanted to get up and dance around with a tomahawk in my hand"

“I found Saturday night's performance by Dunedin's choir, especially the pieces before and after the interval (Marshalls and Hiawatha) were my favourites:^) Just lovely:^ Transformative! I did not want the music to end.”

"I thought the concert at Knox was splendid - it came across very well indeed, full of energy and vitality."

Do you have any audience quotes to share? Please leave a comment here, or email us to info@citychoirdunedin.org.nz
Thank you!

New awards for singers

Traditionally the Choir awards Life Membership for those who have given exceptional service, usually in its administration, and we thought it timely in this celebratory year to recognise long membership too.

We are introducing the George R. West award for 40 years membership, and the G.M. Thomson award for 20 years membership. The choir archives include badges for all members (not specific awards) to be worn on the lapel; the new awards are clutch pins, and will be worn on the lapels of our formal uniform.

George R. West Award for 40 years membership

George R. West was involved in the founding of many of Dunedin’s early musical institutions, including City Choir Dunedin’s first incarnation – The Dunedin Philharmonic Society – in 1863. Having begun as its Secretary, West was conductor from 1864 to 1866; the Society lasted little more than a year after his resignation. West resurrected the Society – now known as the ‘Dunedin Choral Society’ – in 1871, and was its conductor until 1873, when he resigned to take on the running of the Society’s orchestra. Although the
orchestra soon became a separate organisation, West continued to be involved with the Choral Society until
at least 1880, including another stint as conductor in 1879-80.

G.M. Thomson Award for 20 years membership

G.M. Thomson joined the Dunedin Choral Society as a tenor soon after its foundation in 1871, and was a member of the committee by 1876. Although the Choral Society collapsed in 1887, the success of the ad hoc choir for the 1889 NZ Exhibition in Dunedin prompted Thomson to restart it (as the Dunedin Musical Association) in 1891, and after a further period of chaos and inactivity, more successfully – again as the ‘Dunedin Choral Society’ – in 1897. Thomson served as committee member, secretary, vice-president and president from this date until his death in 1933.

The inaugural presentation ceremony will be held at the Nature’s Bounty concert on 23 March, Knox Church. The recipients are:

George R. West Award
Wendy Coppin (43)
Glennie Jamieson (51)
Gillian Watson (43)

G.M. Thomson Award
John Bähr (30)
Natalie Baylis (34)
Tree Cocks (20)
Brian Cox (36)
Lyn Dowsett (25)
Ken Drew (24)
Colin Gibson (27)
Gwenda Glendining (29)
Isla Griffin (32)
Carol Kempton (35)
Clare Kennelly (24)
Ann Knight (29)
Julia Lawson (26)
Polly Mason (26)
Jeanette McQuillan (35)
Carol Montgomery (37)
Bren Moore (38)
Maggie Peake (21)
Judy Russell (28)
Graham Shirley (33)
Roland Storm (33)
Warren Tate (22)
Judy Tucker (21)
Loraine Whitwell (25)
Annette Winter (24)

The number in brackets is the total number of years, to 2012, that the singer has been a member of the Choir. Congratulations to you all; we commend your dedication and tenacity!

Photos of the awards presentation are now available!