St Cuthbert’s College singers sweep up awards
St Cuthbert’s College’s tribute song to New Zealand soldiers in Gallipoli has resonated a winner.
The moving melody delivered the Junior Black Watch Singers a gold award and best performance at the 2016 New Zealand Choral Foundation’s Auckland Kids Sing Choir Festival.
The group of year 4 and 5 students, performed In Gallipoli from Andrew Baldwin’s work, April Shadows, commissioned by St Cuthbert’s College as part of the school centenary celebrations in 2015. The group was accompanied by a pianist and string quartet of senior students.
Approximately 2500 school children take part each year across Auckland, Hamilton, Hastings, New Plymouth, Palmerston North and Wellington.
The St Cuthbert’s choir, which has been involved since 2009, were one of 10 competing in this year’s competition, with the Auckland meet was held at the Town Hall on August 1 and 2.
‘‘The venue also provides all attending choirs the opportunity to sing on stage and experience the acoustic benefits of the Town Hall venue,’’ Junior Black Watch Singers choir director Amelia Giles says. ’’The results announced after the competition were fantastic.’’
Junior Black Watch Singers attained the standard required for a gold award and also were the winners of the Lawson Award for Best Performance of a New Zealand Composition.
New Zealand Choral Federation is a non-profit, incorporated organisation whose central purpose is to promote the performance, creation and enjoyment of choral music.