Choristers strike a chord with New Zealand audiences

Every two years, students in the Senior School can elect to join the St Michael’s Touring Choir, an international trip where the power of song is truly recognised and embraced. In December 2022, the Touring Choir visited New Zealand to perform their repertoire to audiences from Christchurch to Queenstown, in a variety of settings. Students developed endurance and resilience in a gruelling performance schedule resembling a professional ensemble, while also learning about the culture and history of New Zealand. Our students were joined by several staff members, Dr Gary Ekkel (Director of the Tour), Ms Jennifer Gillan (Assistant Conductor), Mr Geoffrey Scarlett (Accompanist) and Ms Frances Walker (Head of Kilburn House).

After landing safely in Christchurch, the Touring Choir were bussed to their accommodation at Bealey Quarter. Not wanting to waste a minute, the students had an informal rehearsal out the front of the accommodation, attracting significant interest from patrons and employees.

The following morning, after a good night's rest, the Choir travelled into town for either punting or canoeing. Despite the slight drizzle, students and staff enjoyed paddling up and down the Avon River accompanied by some adorable ducks. Afterwards, the group had lunch at the Riverside Market, with students able to explore the streets of Christchurch and its culinary delights.

The first opportunity for the Choir to flex their musical muscles was at All Souls Church. As the beginning of the concert approached, students were slightly disappointed to discover an audience of two - the vicar Meghan and her assistant. What followed was a truly memorable experience, and a testament to the character of the students involved. Undeterred, the Choir put on a full programme with great enthusiasm, taking full advantage of All Souls' wonderful acoustics. They sang brilliantly, filling All Souls' impressive acoustic space with beautiful choral music.

Following the concert, the vicar felt moved to share her recent experience with us, comforting a member of the congregation who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and passed after only a few days. The vicar spoke of the emotional toll this had inflicted on herself and the community. Meghan said that she had been praying for something to lift her spirits, and carry her through the Christmas season. During the speech the students became acutely aware of music's ability to move and heal the people whose lives it touched. The success of the concert was not measured by the number of people in attendance but what those people left with.

Lake Tekapo was a stunning place to visit. We had a sell-out concert in the, admittedly tiny, yet iconic church. The concert started outside on the banks of the Lake, until it began to rain. One important measure of the calibre of a group is how well they do under pressure and how well they adapt and improvise in the moment. The rain grew progressively heavier but they just kept singing. The highlight of this being the four soloists running around the outside of the church and singing their parts through the windows!

Oamaru was the next stop and another concert, this time at the impressive St Patrick’s Basilica. This too was a sell-out concert of much more impressive proportions, as the church hosted over 150 people. We were treated to the warmest and kindest of welcomes from this country parish who fed us and gave us a standing ovation.

On day five of the tour, students performed their Nine Lessons and Carols service at All Saints, North Dunedin. The students sang so well and of particular note was how they covered for each other when things went wrong. One of the privileges of choral singing over time is the ability to form a unified sound and blending with the voices around you, which was observed over the course of the trip.

On the trip to Queenstown, the last leg of the tour, the Choir decided it was fitting to entertain travellers with a pop-up sing in the historic Dunedin Train Station. Choristers lined the upper balcony of the mosaicked entrance hall performing to a growing number of people. The stunning acoustic and beautiful surroundings created one of those memories that will last a lifetime.

The final performance was at St Peter's church, Wakatipu. The vicar’s warm words at the end of the concert were complimentary and heartfelt. It was clear many were moved by this performance, including members of the Choir and staff.

At each venue, from an audience of two to 150, there were people who went out of their way to let the Choir know that they were genuinely touched, impressed and entertained by the performances. There were many responsive tears and, for a student group to present such a big program off-by-heart and with such emotional maturity was truly remarkable and a credit to the group cohesiveness, musicality and professionalism.

Ms Jennifer Gillan, Mr Geoffrey Scarlett and Dr Gary Ekkel Music Tutors and Director of Choral Music