A life story Peter Godfrey, godfather of choral singing
Peter Godfrey CBE: Choral conductor, professor emeritus: b Bluntisham, April 3, 1922; m (1) Sheila McNeile 1945 (dec), (2) Jane Barnett 1993 (diss), 4d; d Porirua, September 28, 2017, aged 95.
As the unofficial ‘Father of New Zealand choral music’, Peter Godfrey was an inspiration to singers across the globe.
Originally from England, Godfrey was in his thirties when he emigrated to New Zealand in 1958. During the five weeks it took to reach New Zealand by sea, Godfrey did something which would surprise none that knew him – he formed a choir on board the ship.
Once in New Zealand he began working as a music lecturer at Auckland University and as the director of music at St Mary’s Cathedral. These two roles were the only jobs Godfrey ever applied for and he described them as a major turning point in his career.
Longtime friend and fellow musician Peter Averi met Godfrey about 50 years ago and described him as a humble man, but authoritative when on the conductor’s podium.
‘‘When he was training a choir he insisted on the highest standard. He could cajole, tease, almost insult his singers, but always in the nicest way. He was really a charming English gentleman,’’ Averi says. ‘‘He came to New Zealand at a time when choir singing was not particularly strong and with his zeal and commitment to raising standards, he really put New Zealand on the map.’’
Godfrey was known to insist that each choir member bring a 2B pencil (specifically) to practice sessions to note any changes in the music. In 1978 he returned to England for four months on a sort of choir-swap; while a friend from King’s College in Cambridge took over Godfrey’s choirs and lived in his house in New Zealand, Godfrey would lead the King’s College Choir in England and stay in his friend’s home.
He described leading this choir as one of the greatest honours he had ever received. He was the first person to be chorister, choral scholar and director of music at King’s College.
Indeed, the college was familiar ground to Godfrey, whose musical education had begun at the school in 1931. Training at King’s College gave him not only a love of choral music but an ability to bring out the best in singers, far more than they thought they were capable of.
While in England Godfrey was invited to have lunch with the Queen, who remembered him when he returned to receive his MBE a few weeks later.
He was honoured with a CBE a decade on.
On another occasion, Godfrey
He really put New Zealand on the map.
had the opportunity to conduct the National Youth Choir for a concert with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.
Godfrey’s greatest contribution to choral music came in 1985 when he established the New Zealand Choral Federation. He moved to Waikanae in 1992 with plans of retiring, but remained involved in the choral scene. At an age when retirement could have been a comfortable option he embarked on 20 years of instructing choirs.
He was recognised with an Arts Foundation Icon Award in 2005.
When he moved to a retirement village at the age of 87, his passion for music continued and he formed a choir with the other residents.
While many were unable to read music he still managed to gather them into a choir. He was enormously energetic in encouraging singers who didn’t think they had a voice to participate.
❚ Soumya Bhamidipati is a Massey University journalism student
Sources: Peter Averi; The Arts Foundation; Peter Godfrey: Father of New Zealand Choral Music’ by Elizabeth Salmon.A public memorial service for Peter Godfrey will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral in Wellington on Sunday, November 12, at 5pm.