Hi everyone,
Happy 2010!
The first enquiries have come in as to when choir is starting this
year.
As I know a few of you are around / some are at summer school, it is
possible we could start early this year. At the very least it will be
good to make a start with preparing for what will be a big year.
Please advise when you can start coming along to choir again.
First up, a choir camp in Oamaru in early March, tentatively March
13-14, going through technique, confidence building, voice matching
etc and repertoire for the whole semester. Plan is to sing a concert
at the end of it and link in with local musicians and schools. We
received an OUSA grant to offset costs, estimate cost of $15 each
towards a hostel. Please advise what dates are preferred, week 1, 2 or
3 in March.
Next, we are invited to an Easter concert in Invercargill on April 4,
i.e. Easter weekend. Travel costs will be covered and it will involve
an orchestra. Again, will be good to know who maybe available over
Easter.
Next, Cantores received a grant from Creative New Zealand for another
Song, Dance and Art Concert. This will be in mid to late May and is to
involve orchestra, art, dance and at least one pop song arrangement.
I've already pencilled in some Bach B minor mass along with some Haydn
and Elgar, but the rest is up for discussion.
As is customary, it is inevitable that travel to other places will be
discussed as the choir builds and therefore the repertoire learned in
Oamaru will attempt to cater for many occasions.
Plans have also begun to perform one of the most defining choral
works, Monteverdi's Vespers (Vespro della Beata Vergine), which are
400 years old this year. This is pencilled in for September and its
epic nature has meant I am preparing aspects of it already. As with
the Mozart Requiem and the Bach Magnificat, singing this is a once in
a life time opportunity.
Finally, December will bring another Messiah with proceeds to a good
charity.
If you have any comments or queries, ideas and requests, please simply
get in touch.
Greg
