A Colourful Collaboration

A Colourful Collaboration

7 April 2014

Collaboration is the order of the day for a colourful presentation of works from sacred, New Zealand, art, jazz and spiritual canvases by the Christchurch City Choir at the Charles Luney Auditorium on Friday 11 April.

Scores of Canvases will be the first erformance of the Christchurch City Choir under new Music Director Andrew Withington, who sees collaboration as one of the keys to the Choir’s future success.

“My goal for this first concert was a bold and vibrant programme which embodied the spirit of collaboration.

The Choir will perform alongside several well-known musical groups and individuals to deliver a very special concert that will entertain a wide range of audiences” says Andrew.

Christchurch-born baritone Jared Holt will return to the city to perform Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs, accompanied by accomplished organist Nicholas Sutcliffe.

Performances by Woolston Brass are woven through this exciting concert programme which includes Martin Shaw’s Grand Procession, and the triumphant O Clap Your Hands, another delight from Ralph Vaughan Williams, along with the Cathedral Handbell ringers.

Embracing New Zealand art music, the Choir will perform three songs from Anthony Ritchie’s Then I Understood, accompanied by David Sadler on piano. This will also be narrated by St Andrew’s Preparatory School student, Lucy Cammock-Elliott.

Jazz performers, Tom Rainey, Jono Brown and Scott Chappell join in the fun with Bob Shilcott’s A Little Jazz Mass and a rousing rendition of John Rutter’s When the Saints Go Marching In, also with upcoming clarinetist Rachael van Wichen.

The concept of collaboration will even be extended to the audience who will be invited to sing in the opening and closing items of the concert, Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (verses 2 and 4) and the final verse of When the Saints Go Marching In.

It will be a special night as well for the eight singers who joined the Choir at the start of the year under the Choral Scholarship Scheme. Thanks to the Mainland Foundation, the Choir was able to offer scholarships to a number of secondary and tertiary students who were keen to experience being part of a symphonic choir.

“It is a great opportunity for the Scholars to perform with a first-class symphonic Choir alongside an exceptional cast of performers, and we hope that they will remain a part of the Choir going forward” said Andrew.

Growth is an ongoing goal for this dynamic Music Director who is keen to double the size of the Choir over the next year. The 2014 Sing for the City recruitment drive which encourages singers of all ages and denominations to join has already resulted in more Choir members coming on board and is ongoing.

Scores of Canvases will take place at 7.30pm on Friday 11 April at the Charles Luney Auditorium at St Margaret’s College. Tickets ($30 Adult, $15 Child) through Ticketek, 0800 842538, www.ticketek.co.nz

ENDS

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