Singers in first concert
The Linden Singers will be performing at St. Mary’s in Waipukurau on September 30, the first public concert to be held at the church since its reopening.
The 89-year-old Anglican church reopened on August 15 after the successful completion of stage 1 of seismic strengthening work.
This month’s concert will help raise funds towards the $20,000 still needed to fully fund stage 2 of strengthening work on the church tower.
The first half of the concert will feature works by composers who lived in the 19th century, including Schubert, Tchaikovsky and Bruckner.
Rounding out this half are five movements from Joseph Haydn’s Missa Brevis No.7 in B, often called “The Little Organ Mass” due to an extended organ solo in the Benedictus movement.
The Cathedral Strings from Napier and local St Mary’s organist Kath Fletcher will accompany the work while the soloist is Caroline Hickman.
Basil Brooker, founding conductor of the Linden Singers, says that Haydn has been described as a genial good-humoured man loved by all who came in contact with him. This part of his character is reflected in his music which is tuneful and a delight to sing.
In the second half of the concer, the mood lightens with the choir embarking on an eclectic selection of part songs and spirituals.
The concert concludes with a toe-tapping medley of songs from My Fair Lady arranged by Andy Beck including such favourites as I Could Have Danced All Night, Wouldn’t It Be Lovely and Get Me to the Church On Time.
Piano accompaniment will be provided by Elizabeth Curtis. The concert starts at 2.30pm on September 30. Tickets $15 at the door.