Choir Blazes a Trail Through the UK to Spain

Tower New Zealand Youth Choir Blazes a Trail Through the UK to Spain

The TOWER New Zealand Youth Choir is on its way to Cantonigros, Spain, after having won placings in two categories at this year's International Musical Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales.

Members of the TOWER New Zealand Youth Choir in Llangollen - (left to right) Gabrielle Mutu-Grigg, David Tipi, Hamish Elliott, Vanessa Kay.

Feedback from the Llangollen competitions (11th - 14th July) has been that the standard of competitions was exceptionally high this year – this was mentioned by a number of the adjudicators during the week – and the Choir received whole-hearted congratulations for winning 3rd place in both the Youth Choir and Mixed Choir categories. Both categories featured music to showcase the Choir's skill, from the shimmering splendour of Kodály's "Jesus es a Kufarok" to the driving energy of Hrušovský’s "Rytmus" and the Maori repertoire gifted to the Choir by the Wehi whanau.

Youth Choir General Manager Jenny Jamieson said the competition was very close, particularly in the mixed choir section, and the third placings were an achievement to be proud of. "The singers are great cultural ambassadors for the country and they sang their very best. I think our sound is something fresh, and overseas audiences have - again - really appreciated our kapa haka."

The Choir’s International Tour began with performances and festivals in Canada in Toronto, at the Niagara Falls and at Festival 500 at St Johns, Newfoundland, where the accuracy of the Choir's classical repertoire, positioned alongside full-blooded waiata, generated excitement with audiences and international dignitaries alike.

They sung their hearts out at the International Musical Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales, where their concert with Hayley Westenra in front of 4000 people sold out days in advance. While in the UK they also presented a concert in London at St John’s, Smith Square, with special guest appearances by Jonathan Lemalu and Madeleine Pierard, both ex-Choir members now achieving remarkable success on the international opera scene.

They were also given the valuable opportunity to sing at the striking, recently unveiled New Zealand monument in Hyde Park (described as ‘our little corner of London’), which drew a large audience.

In the last two days the Choir has made its way to Barcelona, Spain, and further competition in Cantonigros at the colourful International Musical Festival there. Lee Densem (bass) will be interviewed by Eva Radich on Upbeat, Concert FM after the Cantonigros competitions on Monday July 23.

Some members of the Choir will be returning to New Zealand next week on Wednesday 25th July, while several members will be extending their travels through Europe to return later in the year, or alternatively staying overseas.

Back on New Zealand soil, Tagata Pasifika will be broadcasting a 6-minute clip of the TOWER New Zealand Youth Choir's Farewell Concert, (presented before their departure for the International Tour on 26th June) on Maori TV at 8.30pm this Saturday night, and on TVOne on Sunday at 8.00am, giving those who weren’t able to attend this remarkable concert a taste of the Choir's fantastic final performance here in New Zealand.

Choir members are also sending updates for the Tour Diary to the Choir’s website, which can be accessed at: http://www.youthchoir.org.nz/tnzycevents.htm
The TOWER New Zealand Youth Choir was established to promote choral singing of the highest standard among young New Zealanders. Members of the Choir are aged between 18-25 years and come from all corners of the country. In its 28-year existence it has achieved a remarkable number of awards and accolades, including the ‘Grand Prix’ in Slovakia, and the ‘Choir of the World’ award at the International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales, both on its highly successful European tour in 1999. On the choir’s 2004 tour they achieved highest marks in several categories at the 43rd International Choral Competition in Gorizia, Italy.

Dr. Karen Grylls, Artistic Director and Conductor of TOWER Voices NZ, TOWER New Zealand Youth Choir and Associate Professor in Music at the University of Auckland, leads the 50 voices. Dr. Grylls is on the Board of the International Federation of Choral Music. Recently she was awarded the KBB Citation from the Composers’ Association of New Zealand and the Lilburn Trust Citation for services to New Zealand music.

www.youthchoir.org.nz

The TOWER New Zealand Youth Choir receives major public funding from Creative New Zealand
and is sponsored by TOWER Ltd & Rainbow Print
The international tour is proudly supported by the Lion Foundation, New Zealand Community Trust and the Sargood Bequest.

We appreciate the use of our correct name, TOWER New Zealand Youth Choir, in all copy derived from this media release. TOWER needs to be in capitals.

ENDS

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