Kentoris Sing at the Dawn Service

The College was well represented at the Anzac Dawn Service held at the Museum on Saturday morning. Students in their formal uniform were easily spotted and many Saint Kentigern Families were in attendance. 

Our Premier Choir, Kentoris, was given a fanstastic opportunity to be part of the impressive 100-voice choir  for the centenary celebrations; a choir which also featured many recent Old Collegians.  It was an early start to the day with some of the students up as early as 3.30am to be part of the official proceedings. 

The Dawn Service drew a crowd of over 20,000 and the choir led the singing of the hymns ‘Abide with Me’ and ‘Lest We Forget’ from the steps of the Museum.  The choir, together with the Auckland City Salvation Army Band also sang, ‘I Vow To Thee My Country’ as Mayor Len Brown lay a cross in the Fields of Remembrance.  The choir then led the singing of both the Australian and New Zealand National Anthems before the veterans and servicemen marched off the forecourt. 

Several of our senior students together with recent Old Collegians then joined the Auckland Youth Choir to perform a concert in the Sanctuary of the Museum.  Surrounded by the thousands of names of fallen New Zealanders, they performed poignant and moving music that was accompanied by very emotional readings from Percy Hillary’s diary; read by his grandson Arthur Boyer.  The choir then sang the 11.00am Civic Service, and a small group travelled out to Ranfurly Village in Mt Albert to sing for the Veteran’s service there.  The day finished with choir members sharing tea, biscuits and stories with the Veterans and their families.