Profile

In 2008 Auckland Choral at 153 years old is as lively as ever. Singing great music and finding satisfaction in achieving something where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts has kept Auckland Choral vibrantly alive since 1855. The choir regularly sings major works of the choral repertoire, loves to commission and perform new works by some of New Zealand’s great composers, and enjoys exploring new and challenging music from other parts of the world. Auckland Choral is privileged to perform alongside New Zealand’s fine soloists and orchestras in concerts in the Auckland Town Hall and Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, but also derives immeasurable pleasure from working hard at rehearsals to perfect the music it is learning. A great blend of amateur enthusiasm and professional polish makes this a very special organisation to be a part of.

2007 sees the choir undertaking a varied programme ranging from the traditional Messiah (performed almost every year by the choir since 1857), to a first NZ performance of Bob Chilcott’s Canticles of Light, to a newly-orchestrated version of NZ composer David Hamilton’s quirky “The Dragons are Singing Tonight” commissioned by the choir in 1996 for Choir and Brass Band

Adrienne Simpson’s Hallelujahs & History – Auckland Choral 1855-2005 is a fascinating account of the choir’s first 150 years and an intriguing piece of social history.

Auckland Choral has a long history of championing NZ composers. Since 1988 when Peter Watts became Musical Director the following NZ works have been commissioned or performed. Uwe Grodd was appointed Musical Director of Auckland Choral in 2008.

1988 David Hamilton And Music Shall Untune the Sky
1990 Douglas Mews Te Deum (Auckland Choral Commission)
1990 David Hamilton Paraha (Auckland Choral Commission)
1993 David Griffiths Confitebur (Auckland Choral Commission)
1994 David Hamilton Dance Song to the Creator
1995 Don McGlashan Of All the Seasons
1996 Philip Norman Plumsong
1996 David Hamilton The Dragons are Singing Tonight (Auckland Choral Commission)
1997 David Hamilton Taonga: Gift of the Land (Auckland Choral Commission)
1998 Douglas Mews The Prayer of St Francis
1999 David Hamilton (arr) Hine e Hine
1999 Anthony Ritchie Then I Understood
1999 David Hamilton A Shakespeare Garland (Auckland Choral Commission)
2000 David Hamilton : Millennium Choral Fanfare: Celebrate the Earth (Auckland Choral Commission)
2000 David Griffiths : Millennium Choral Fanfare: Sing to the Lord a New Song (Auckland Choral Commission)
2000 John Wells : Millennium Choral Fanfare: Just Another Millennium (Auckland Choral Commission)
2000 Ron Dellow Fanfare and Finale – part of “_Singing Down the Centuries_” NZCF Auckland Millennium Celebration
2000 Leonie Holmes : Millennium Choral Fanfare: Silver Whispers (Auckland Choral Commission)
2000 Anthony Ritchie : Millennium Choral Fanfare: the Bomb is made (Auckland Choral Commission)
2003 David Hamilton A New Zealand Aviary
2003 David Hamilton May the Road Rise to meet You
2004 Leonie Holmes Signs (Auckland Choral Commission)
2004 John Wells Gloria Tonga
2005 David Hamilton Missa Pacifica
2005 John Wells Gloria Tonga
2006 Jenny McLeod Hymn for the Lady
2006 David Hamilton Night Visions
2007 David Hamilton The Dragons are Singing Tonight – newly orchestrated Version

• Performances (9)
• Commissions (18)
• Related Resources (1)