Choir of the World performs in the Wesley Music Centre - Tues 13 July, 2010 - Canberra
The world-renowned New Zealand Youth Choir, awarded the title “Choir of the World” in 1999, presents a concert in the Wesley Music Series on Tuesday 13 July at 8.00pm. This nationally selected New Zealand choir, whose choristers are aged 18-25, presents itself as an ensemble of choral excellence, with programming that reflects its diverse heritage and membership of the world community. The choir is pleased to include Canberra in its 2010 international itinerary, and has also visited Singapore, South Korea, China and Brisbane. After Canberra, the choir will be broadcast live from Sydney for ABC Classic FM.
The programme shows the choir’s trademark versatility in a mixture of ancient and modern works, including pieces by New Zealand, Australian and Asian composers. The national kapa haka items are particular audience favourites, and sit beautifully alongside stiring improvisations, double choir works, folk songs of various nations and of course, the classics.
Chief Executive of the Choir, Barbara George, is pleased to tour the choir to Canberra, a city for which she has particular fondness after managing the Canberra Symphony Orchestra here for some six years. “It’s great to see so many friends and have the continued support of the musical community – we offer an exceptional concert, so we hope you will come and see us.”
Also on the itinerary is a live broadcast for ABC Classic FM, which will also be broadcast by Radio New Zealand Concert, that will have our Youth Choir singing across Australia and New Zealand. This tour is supported by the New Zealand Government through the Ministry for Culture and Heritage’s Cultural Diplomacy International Programme and also by Creative New Zealand.
Tickets can be purchased at the door, prior to the concert.
New Zealand Youth Choir
Artistic Director Dr Karen Grylls
Tuesday 13 July, 7.30pm
Wesley Music Series – Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest
New Zealand Youth Choir performs at the Auckland Town Hall – Free Admission
The world-renowned New Zealand Youth Choir presents a free concert at the Auckland Town Hall on Saturday, 26 June at 7.30pm. This nationally selected choir is in excellent form as it prepares for another landmark international tour. The choir is pleased to include Auckland in its 2010 itinerary, prior to visiting Singapore, South Korea, China and Australia. The concert is free to the public, but the choir would welcome donations at the door (suggested $10 adult, $5 student and $2 child). Bookings are not required and doors open at 6.45pm. This concert is presented with the support of THE EDGE and the For Free series of free concerts.
The programme shows the choir’s trademark versatility in a mixture of ancient and modern works, including pieces by New Zealand and Asian composers. The kapa haka items are particular audience favourites, and sit beautifully alongside stiring improvisations, double choir works, folk songs of various nations and of course, the classics.
Chief Executive of the Choir, Barbara George, is pleased to announce that the choir will make significant appearances at World Expo in Shanghai, sponsored by New Zealand Educated, and a special commemorative concert at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Also on the itinerary is a live broadcast for ABC Classic FM, which will also be broadcast by Radio New Zealand Concert, that will have our Youth Choir singing across Australia and New Zealand. This tour is supported by the New Zealand Government through the Ministry for Culture and Heritage’s Cultural Diplomacy International Programme, the Asia New Zealand Foundation, and also by Creative New Zealand.
The Choir will leave on Monday 28 June for Asia and Australia, and returns to New Zealand mid July.
New Zealand Youth Choir
Artistic Director Karen Grylls
Saturday, 26 June, 7.30pm
Auckland Town Hall
THE EDGE Public Programmes series
For more information or images, contact:
Erica Challis, Publicist,
New Zealand Youth Choir
Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir
PO Box 11 046
Wellington 6142
New Zealand
021 102 6932
04 971 1853
echallis@clear.net.nz
NEW ZEALAND YOUTH CHOIR MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
SONIC WEAPON HEADS NORTH – NEW ZEALAND YOUTH CHOIR IN AUCKLAND AND WARKWORTH
The nationally loved and internationally renowned New Zealand Youth Choir tours to Auckland and Warkworth in the first week of September. Calling on New Zealand’s best young voices, the sound of the 51-strong choir has been called “a sonic weapon” by reviewers – and this is only halfway through the build-up to its next international tour.
The choir, which regularly performs and competes overseas, is noted for the variety and freshness of its repertoire. Though it proudly announces its identity worldwide through its waiatas and New Zealand compositions, the Choir also spans centuries of music from around the world. It’s all grist to their mill: ancient Latin motets, the church anthems of Thomas Tallis, the high Romanticism of Rachmaninoff and the latest works of Schnittke and Rautavaara.
Artistic Director Karen Grylls frequently travels to choral events around the world, and is always thrilled to discover new works to bring back for New Zealand audiences. This year Grylls returns from a sabbatical in Europe and Canada inspired by the latest developments in choral singing internationally.
The NZYC’s recitals this year encompass sacred music including the brilliant Frank Martin “Mass for Double Choir”. Also of note is Jack Body’s breathtaking “Carol to St Stephen” – where the Choir splits into three smaller choirs, with three soloists, and brings to life the magnificence of polyphony.
The remainder of the first half may also include Swider’s Cantus Gloriosus, Rachmaninoff’s Bogoroditse Devo and Mendelssohn’sZweite Psalm.
The Choir have a repertoire of some 40 pieces from which the concert programme is selected. Many works are technically demanding, requiring members of the choir to be soloists, chamber musicians and choristers – all at the same time. Visit
www.youthchoir.org.nz for the current repertoire list.
The choir, which meets at least three times each year, is just over halfway through its three-year build-up to an overseas tour. The NZYC has competed successfully at numerous overseas competitions and the members of this latest incarnation fully expect to keep up the tradition.
NEW ZEALAND YOUTH CHOIR SEPTEMBER CONCERTS
Warkworth: Wednesday 2 September at 7.30pm at Lifeway Church, Snells Beach
Auckland: Baradene College, Remuera, on Saturday 5 September at 7.30pm.
Tickets cost $25 adult, $20 seniors and concessions, $10 students with ID, $5 child (school age). Under 5's are free.
TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED FROM:
WARKWORTH - Dorothy's, 15 Neville Street, Warkworth
AUCKLAND - Poppies Remuera, Village Green, 415 Remuera Rd "My Kind of Bookshop"
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For more information or images, contact:
Erica Challis, Publicist,
New Zealand Youth Choir
Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir
PO Box 11 046
Wellington 6142
New Zealand
021 102 6932
04 971 1853
or:
Barbara George
Chief Executive
0272 422 235
bgeorge.Aotearoa@gmail.com
