A season of Singfests
1 Oct 2024
In September, two successful Singfests saw a wide range of choirs sharing their music with each other and their communities.
Singfests, our annual regional choral festivals, are a wonderful opportunity for choirs to get together within their regions, perform for and with each other and the public, and enliven their cities and towns with choral buzz.
NZCF Canterbury/West Coast and NZCF Taranaki held Singfests in September, which you can read about below. There are three more coming up over the next couple of months in Invercargill, Hawke's Bay and Palmerston North. Scroll down for all the details, and be sure to head along if you're in the neighbourhood!
New Plymouth, 8 September
NZCF Taranaki's Singfest was held at St Andrew's Church in New Plymouth and hosted by the Taranaki Singing Venture (directed by Laura Durville and Julian Rafael). Seven choirs performed: Living Harmony, Taranaki Songmen, City Sounds, Taranaki Harmony Chorus, Sunshine Singers, The Madrigal Companie, and Taranaki Singing Venture.
To kick off the day, all seven choirs joined together for a nine-part quodlibet of European melodies. The choirs joined again to end the Singfest with a South African lullaby. Both massed pieces were arranged and directed by Julian Rafael.
It was a joyous event — a testament to the region's love of singing and dedication to the choral art. As per regional tradition, entry was by food can, with all donations given to the New Plymouth food bank.
Christchurch, 21 September
Christchurch's Singfest saw 13 choirs and choruses popping up in four venues across the CBD. Collective singing was the headline event throughout the day, with groups presenting sets at the Arts Centre, the Christchurch Art Gallery, the Crossing, and even on the tram line!
Upcoming Singfests
Invercargill, 20 October
Beginning at 2pm at First Church, Invercargill. Entry by gold coin donation.
Hawke's Bay, 2 November
Choirs gather from 9.30am; concert begins at 11am at Hastings Baptist Church. Seven choirs (Hastings Choral Society, Linden Singers, Choralairs, Central Hawke's Bay Concert Choir, Cantare, Sing4Joy and Sounds of Hawke's Bay Chorus) will perform three songs each before joining together for a combined piece, led by guest conductor Jane Pierard.
Palmerston North, 2 November
Concert from 10.30am at St Peter's Church, Palmerston North. The Singfest will feature choirs from Palmerston North, Whanganui, Taihape and Raetihi, and guest commentator Virginie Pacheco.
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