Historic choir dropping by
Taihape musos are in for a treat as one of New Zealand’s oldest male choirs rolls into town.
The Wanganui Male Voice Choir will partner with the Taihape Arcadian Singers in a combined effort at St David’s Church on Sunday.
The Whanganui choir was founded in 1898 and is one of the longest performing choirs in the country. It boasts eight singers who are also members of the New Zealand Male Voice Choir.
The regional singing group has toured all over the world, taking their talents to Norfolk Island in 2001. Later this year they will also tour Australia, performing in Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart.
The Taihape choir was established in 1981 and is conducted by Queen Service Medallist Helen Gordon.
Gordon said the combined group would perform popular songs such as Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah as well as extracts from Les Miserables and traditional Maori numbers.
Of special interest is the song Far Away by New Zealand composer David Hamilton. The song was made for the Taihape choir in 2014, inspired by a poem from Rangitikei resident Irene Loder.
The Wanganui choir is directed by former head of music at St Mary’s Diocesan School Margaret Thompson. She attended York University in Canada with a scholarship in choral conducting.
The Taihape group often invite other groups to perform.
This upcoming concert will take place on Sunday. Admission is $16, but children are free. Afternoon tea is provided.