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In 2006 I wrote A Christmas Fanfare for a concert involving both Auckland Boys’ Choir and Auckland Girls’ Choir. This work for multiple choirs and orchestra was used successfully several times in annual Christmas concerts. In 2010 these two choirs decided to present their own Christmas concert. Rejecting the initial idea of re-scoring A Christmas Fanfare, I offered to write a new piece tailored to the needs of the two choirs, with organ accompaniment. Faithful Choir, Rejoicing Sing is the result.

The text, here in a modern English translation, dates from the twelfth century and is attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153). I was drawn to the idea of an ancient text being delivered by fresh young voices. The text is a hymn of praise celebrating the birth of Christ.
Each of the voice parts first presents their own verse of the complete text. This is then followed by the four verses being sung simultaneously during a procession, in a kind of canonic texture. Following the procession the same music is heard once more with the parts coming in successively, and the whole piece ends with a final triumphant ‘Alleluia’.

David Hamilton

• Hamilton: Faithful Choir, Rejoicing Sing; computer-set  Year: 2010 

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This piece was commissioned in memory of Sue Guthrie, a member of GALS (Gay and Lesbian Singers, Auckland) by her partner Marg Curnow. Suzette Haden Elgin (b.1936) is a former professor of linguistics at San Diego State University. She is a supporter of feminist science fiction and founded the Science Fiction Poetry Association.

• Hamilton: From Time to Time; computer-set 

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The Auckland Primary Principals’ Association holds an annual music festival and over the years several of my choral works have been included in the event. In early 2010 I was approached by former student Pip Faulknor who, along with two other conductors, was keen to include something specifically about Auckland in their programmes, and asked if I had anything suitable. I suggested something new might be appropriate and a text was devised by Mary Cornish. The text talks of many of the features of Auckland, but is also a call for the people of the area to listen to, and respect, the children of Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland).

David Hamilton

• Hamilton: Listen Tamaki Makaurau; computer-set  Year: 2010 

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This works details the tragic end of Mr Macabre – a fisherman who starts out innocently enough, busily fishing:

Mr Macabre went fishing one day,
Out with his line, in his boat, in the bay.
So busy was he, pulling fish from the deep,
He even forgot to go home to sleep.

Unfortunately as it begins to get dark, a shark appears and bites him almost in half. The “awesomely tough” Mr Macabre is not content to let this small mishap spoil his life, so he proceeds to collect the various bits of his body until he is “almost complete”. Towards the end of the piece he is determined to get back in his boat and go out to catch that shark, in spite of his deformities.

Throughout, the chorus sections act as a commentary of the story contained in the verses, and at one point the choir quietly hums the sailor’s hymn “Eternal Father Strong to Save” behind Mr Macabre.

The text for That’s Macabre was especially written for this piece by New Zealand poet and writer Joy Watson.

That’s Macabre was written for the 40th anniversary of Auckland Boys’ Choir, and is dedicated to the choir and conductor Stuart Weightman.

• Hamilton: That's Macabre!; computer-set  Year: 2010 

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When Jane Money brought her choir Boston City Singers to New Zealand, she left me with a copy of American Ballads and Folk Songs (edited by John A. Lomax and Alan Lomax). This collection of songs was originally published in 1934, and collected together songs from various folk traditions from across the USA: railroad sings, songs about outlaws, Creole songs, spirituals, minstrel songs, reels, songs of childhood and so on.

In choosing three songs to arrange I decided to turn to three songs about desperadoes – those living on the fringes of the law. Each comes to an unfortunate end – two by hanging and the third shot by the law. Of the three, Billy the Kid (who purportedly killed twenty-one men) is the best known.

Three Desperadoes was written for Boston City Singers and their conductor Jane Money.

• Hamilton: Three Desperadoes; computer-set  Year: 2010 

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