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David Hamilton  

Celebrate the Earth

 Year: 2000
a choral fanfare for mixed-voice choir (SAATBB), large orchestra and jazz band(s)

  • Programme Note

    The text for this work draws on ideas and images from a number of sources, ranging from contemporary poetry to the psalms of the bible. It is a son of celebration of the Earth and all its abundance. The initial form of the text was devised by Deirdre McOnie. The work is a joyous song of praise. More reflective music alternates with rhythmic writing. Throughout, the music makes much use of syncopation. “Celebrate the Earth” was originally written for an overseas competition whose theme was “A Celebration of Earth Day”. This revised and orchestrated version was written on a commission from Auckland Choral Society for their 2000 concert season. It was one of five choral fanfares commissioned for their subscription series. The concert for which this fanfare was written was to be a Bach 250th anniversary concert. the scoring is for Baroque orchestra including harpsichord and organ. Given the nature of the concert I couldn’t resist including a short reference to the BACH musical motive (B-flat – A – C – B natural in pitch terms). It appears in the brief organ solo towards the end of the work. “Celebrate the Earth!” is dedicated to the Auckland Choral Society and their conductor Peter Watts. Its commissioning was made possible by a grant from the Lottery Grants Board. The first performance took place on 24 March 2000 at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland. This subsequent version for expanded orchestral forces, including jazz band instruments, was made for Youth arts 2000, a celebration of artistic performances by young people held in Wellington in August 2000. It was intended as a massed item at the end of the final concert, hence the inclusion of jazz bands in the scoring as well as a large orchestra.

  • Availability

David Hamilton  

Holy Night

Duration: 04' 15" Year: 2000
for 8 part treble choir with electronic sounds

Helen Fisher   Ngapo Wehi  

Tete Kura (Fern Frond)

Duration: 20' 00" Year: 2000
bicultural work for solo soprano and tenor, choir and kapahaka

  • Instrumentation
    Karanga, haka, waiata Tangi, Poi +SATB choral, guitar, soprano and tenor soloists
  • Programme Note

    The title “Tete Kura” represents “fern frond” [from the Maori saying :“Mate atu he tetekura, ara mai he tetekura”, and this is a work about journey and growth dedicated to the Youth of New Zealand. “Tete Kura” takes the shape of a “Hohou Rongo”, a process of reconciliation, where issues of pain and injustice are brought into the open, in order to restore people’s inner dignity and to bring about true peace. It opens with an expression of te taha wairua of two Aotearoa cultures (Karanga and Gregorian Chant “Veni Sancte Spiritus”), then a journey away from te taha wairua and te taha aroha towards greed and materialism (Corporate Beat, Haka). This leads to experiences of pain, confusion and abuse (I Crave That Place, Waiata Tangi ), out of which come insights, hope and a sense of self-worth ( Kia Hoatu He Tumanaako, Karakia ki te Wairua Tapu), to embrace energetically and enthusiastically the questions and challenges of the new millenium : about individuals-in-community, and social and cultural values based on te aroha and te taha wairua (Nga Porowhita Aroha). “Tete Kura” is a bicultural, collaborative composition for choir, kapa haka, kai-karanga and solo soprano and tenor. The music was composed by Helen Fisher, Ngapo and Pimia Wehi and Taru mai-i-tawhiti Kerehoma. The lyrics were written by Ngapo and Pimia Wehi, John Greally, Oriini Kaipara, Helen Fisher, as well as including some biblical extracts. “Tete Kura” was performed by Te Waka Huia and the New Zealand Youth Choir for the Wellington Youth Arts 2000 Festival, being funded by a project grant from Creative New Zealand Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa.

  • Availability

Gareth Farr  

Tirohia atu nei

Duration: 06' 00" Year: 2000
for choir (SSAATB) and percussion

David N. Childs  

Two Songs of Reflection

Duration: 10' 00" Year: 2000
for SATB a cappella and narrator