Proms Concert Series 1: Choral Proms
Proms Concert Series 1: Choral Proms
June 08, 2015 at 2:37 PM
With Big Sing on the horizon, last Saturday’s Choral Proms provided our choirs with the opportunity to sing their repertoire to an audience, prior to performing for a panel of judges in the Town Hall this week.
The Premier auditioned choir, Kentoris opened with a new arrangement of the song, ‘Pure Imagination’ from the popular 1971 movie, ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factor’ setting the scene for an evening of polished choral work.
Our all-female choir, Musettes, is strong in number and perform beautifully in harmony. They presented three songs: ‘Monument’ by NZ composer Craig Utting; ‘Maiglöcken und die Blümelein’ by Mendelssohn and sung by the girls in German, followed by their final piece, Glettur, a song inspired by a trip to Iceland by the composer, Stephen Hatfield.
Menasing is our all male choir who have made their mark over the last three years with their often quirky performances. Dressed smartly in suits and the trademark blue choral shirt, they opened with ‘The Moon is Distant from the Sea’ by popular NZ composer, David Childs. ‘The Pasture’ from Frostiana by Randall Thompson followed before a final song, ‘La Chanson de Mardi Gras’ arranged by Michael McGlynn, accompanied by a drum.
The last set prior to the interval was from our Massed Choir of 90 choristers who delivered a stirring ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ from Handel’s well-loved oratorio, ‘The Messiah.’ Don McGlashen’s popular, ‘Bathe in the River’ followed with talented singer, Lili Taylor taking the solo part. The choir finished with a lively rendition of the gospel piece, ‘Praise His Holy Name’ by Keith Hampton.
Following the interval, we welcomed guest Operatic Baritone, Robert Tucker, whose operatic career has included time with the Australian Opera Studio, IFAC Opera Japan, New Zealand Opera and the Scottish Opera. He is currently a Freemasons Resident Artist with NZ Opera where he recently played Masetto in the 2014 production of Don Giovanni. The day before the concert, Mr Tucker worked with six of our soloists in a work shop aimed at lifting their performance. Accompanied by Gracie Francis on piano, Mr Tucker sang solo before joining with Kentoris to sing Vaughan Williams 'Five Mystical Songs' accompanied by Piano and Strings. Kentoris finished with the NZ Premiere of Ola Gjeilo's 'Luminous Night of the Soul' for piano, strings and choir.
We thanks Mr Lachlan Craig for his work with our choral students, along with their accompanists, Ms Gracie Francis, Mr Tim Carpenter and Mr Stuart Saunders.
We now wish our choirs well next week as they take to the stage with school choirs from throughout Auckland to try and achieve selection for the National Choir competition.
THE BIG SING
New Zealand Choral Federation
Auckland Town Hall
Our choirs will be singing at the following approximate performance times.
Tuesday 9th June
Massed Choir - 11.45am
Kentoris - 6.30pm
Thursday 11th June
Musettes - 12.00pm
Menasing - 2.45pm
Thursday 11th June
Gala Concert
6.30pm ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre
PROMS CONCERT SERIES
The Choral Proms was the first in a series of three Proms Concerts. The final two will take place over the next two weekends.
Band Proms Concert
Friday 12 June, 7pm
Featuring the College Stage Band, Jazz Combo and Concert Band with the Royal New Zealand Navy Band.
Last Night of the Proms
Saturday 20 June, 7pm
In the tradition of the British Last Night of the Proms, the College Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Choirs, Matteo Napoli (Piano), Daniel Ng (Sax) and Aucktet (The Auckland Trombone Octet) join for a huge finale to the concert series.
Both regular and table seating available.
Tabled seating includes dessert and mulled wine.
Tickets may be purchased at the door or online.
