From the rubble to vital rhythm of life
After completing his masters in musical theatre writing in the United States, Luke Di Somma returned to his hometown to ‘‘learn and hone’’ his craft.
‘‘A director in New York came and spoke to us and she said that if we got the chance to go back to our communities and practise our art craft, try things and experiment, then we should . . . and for some reason that really spoke to me,’’ he said.
The Christchurch Pops Choir is Di Somma’s brainchild and he is also the conductor of the Christchurch Youth Orchestra (CYO).
‘‘Working with the CYO has been immensely rewarding . . . and it wasn’t something I expected to be doing but it’s honestly been wonderful and I love knowing that for some [of the musicians] it’s their first orchestral experience.’’
He said a highlight for him was the collaboration concert between the CYO and California Youth Orchestra in July.
Di Somma thought the initial outlook for the arts after the earthquakes was ‘‘pretty grim’’ but had since changed his mind.
‘‘The earthquakes have created amazing opportunities . . . organisations were really flexible and the arts as a whole were really resilient.’’
Di Somma said he was one of many people trying to ‘‘play a small part in ensuring Christchurch is an artistic, vibrant community’’.
He does freelance work for various groups, including the Court Theatre and New Zealand Opera and hoped to see the musical he has composed produced in the next two years.
Di Somma was ‘‘very appreciative’’ of the central blueprint plan for a performing arts precinct but said venues should be dotted across the city and not ‘‘overcentralised’’.
Christchurch was a ‘‘creative and energetic’’ place, despite the quakes, he said. ‘‘I’m learning a lot here. I love seeing all the collaboration that is happening . . . and I’m definitely going to stay here for the foreseeable future.’’