College Student Selected for University Choir

Congratulations to Year 13 student, Sam Downes, who has recently been selected to sing in the University of Auckland Chamber Choir.  The choir is one of the finest chamber choirs in the country made up of singers from the top voice students and alumni of the University, members of the NZ Youth Choir and Voices NZ, as well as a few up and coming young singers who have the potential to be performing at the highest level of ensemble singing.  

Sam went through a long audition process and trial period, singing in Elgar's Dream of Gerontius with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra last year, and also singing in a recital led by our College Director of Choirs, Lachlan Craig.  Sam completed a one on one audition with the Head of Choral Studies at the University; Dr Karen Grylls, and successfully won a place in the Bass Section.  Sam is the third College student to achieve this, following in the footsteps of Caleb Roa and Manase Latu.  

Old Collegians, Manase and Grace Sturgess are also members of this elite ensemble.  They will perform a concert of the world’s folk music in June, and are also working towards singing Bach's St John Passion in conjunction with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra and world-renowned choral conductor, Steven Layton, in September.  

Sam is the bass section leader of our Premier Choir K,entoris and is a Level 3 NCEA Music student.  Well done Sam!