Choir’s concert honours SC
The New Zealand Secondary Students Choir is in Timaru tomorrow for a concert for the first time in more than a decade.
The NZSSC comprises 55 of the country’s best singers aged between 14 and 18 who, for two years rehearse in school holidays and learn from top vocal teachers. They will be perform a lunchtime concert at St Mary’s Church with a repertoire covering Maori kapa haka, Samoan, South American pieces, and a classical work.
Choir manager Anna Bowron said that as the choir was driving from Dunedin to Christchurch, a decision was made to stop in Timaru because of the community’s love of music and its talented students. It had also received some funding from the Community Trust of Mid and South Canterbury.
She attributed good music teachers for the number of Timaru singers who joined the choir over the years.
She said the audition process was quite arduous so it was often music teachers’ encouragement that gave students confidence to go forward. They were tested on aural skills, rhythm, sight reading, vocal ability and stage presence. She said they had had a number of members from Craighead Diocesan School over the past few years .
Eleanor McGechie was at Craighead when she became a member of the choir in 2013/14.
‘‘It was a wonderful experience with the opportunity to work at a high level of musicianship.’’
She would recommend it for any young singer. She has since gained a Bachelor of Music and first class honours through Victoria University and is a member of the New Zealand Youth Choir and The Tudor Consort.
Tickets for tomorrow’s one hour concert are $10.