Choral Leaders Honoured
25 Jun 2023
Left: Karen Grylls, top right: Mary Cornish,
bottom right: Karen Knudson
Congratulations to Dr Karen Grylls who was awarded a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in this year’s King’s Honours for her services to choral music. Radio NZ Concert called her a “choral music powerhouse” and Choirs Aotearoa NZ listed her “unwavering commitment, extraordinary talent and visionary leadership” as the qualities that have helped to elevate choral music in New Zealand and promote it internationally.
The Honours Citation lists Karen’s many achievements in conducting, teaching and advocacy for New Zealand choral music, including that she was a founding board member of the New Zealand Choral Federation. Karen was also instrumental in the establishment and development of the Association of Choral Directors. Both organisations have benefitted from her knowledge, her passion for the artform and her international contacts and influence. And through her conducting of the national choirs, her university teaching and her NZCF workshops and leadership she has enriched the knowledge and skills of many choral practitioners around the country.
Karen acknowledges the many colleagues who have supported her along the way, be they singers, composers, conductors or managers, but to so many, Karen is the leading light in the choral sector.
Two other choral leaders have also been honoured this year for their significant contribution to music and their communities.
Karen Knudson was awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for her services to choral music in the recent King’s Honours List. Karen has been the Music Director of the choir at Knox Church since 1997 and the Dunedin RSA Choir since 2014. She has also had a significant career in music education, having taught piano and organ, and leading the Otago Girls and Boys High School Choirs for more than 10 years. Under her direction they regularly reached the finale of The Big Sing and they were invited to the 2015 Shanghai Spring International Music Festival.
Mary Cornish was awarded a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Years Honours for her services to the performing arts. Mary is an artist and educator in the performing arts sector and has been teaching at secondary and primary levels for more than 20 years. As a Choral Director for the Auckland Primary Musical Festival, she has led multiple school choir trainers and students to perform at the annual festival. She has directed choirs at the New Zealand Choral Federation’s ‘Kid Sing’ competition since 2006, and she currently directs a multi-level Choral Programme at St Cuthbert’s College.