South Auckland Choral Society turns 50
3 Apr 2025
In 2025 The South Auckland Choral Society is celebrating its Fiftieth Golden Anniversary and is hoping to make contact with singers who joined from 1975 onwards. They are inviting all past members, conductors, accompanists and supporters to join their celebrations, to be held at Crossroads Methodist Church on Sunday 18th May 2025 at 2.30 pm.
Music Director David Gordon promises an exciting and moving concert. At the centre of the programme will be a new commission from David Hamilton. Gloria is for choir and mezzo soprano soloist, and the choir is looking forward to working with Mobil Song Quest winner Andrea Creighton. Lifetime South Auckland musical identity Gina Sanders (soprano) is also going to be performing in the concert. Gina is now Teaching Fellow in Voice at Waikato University. The programme will also include Jenny McLeod’s beautiful waiata Ka To te Ra ki te Uru, to be sung in memory of choir members who have passed away.
David says he has enjoyed working with the choir since he was appointed Music Director in 2023. They had lost some members over the Covid period but are gradually rebuilding, and the choir now numbers about 40 singers – including some foundation members.
The 50th Golden Anniversary will continue with a concert in August. It is planned to be a lighter programme, drawing music from past concerts over the last 50 years.
In 1974 a group of singers was formed to present a choral performance to celebrate the occasion of Papakura becoming a city with a population of 20,000 in 1975. Their first performance was J S Bach’s
St John Passion conducted by Roger Harris, presented on Palm Sunday 23rd March 1975 at 8 pm in Crossroads Methodist Church, Papakura. After this highly successful concert, the singers agreed that the choir should continue, under the name of South Auckland Music Society, later changed to The South Auckland Choral Society Inc. Winston King was appointed Resident Conductor.
Roger Harris agreed to conduct one more performance with the choir before his departure to England and in November 1975, J S Bach’s Christmas Oratorio was performed both at Crossroads Church and at St Matthews Church, Pitt Street, Auckland. So began 50 years of wonderful choral music in its many forms being performed both throughout the Auckland region and further afield. There is a great history of the choir with many more highlights on their website - History | Choir.
For further information about the choir and the anniversary concert please get in touch with Lorna Clauson or Margaret Gane:
Lorna Clauson lornaclauson@gmail.com or phone 09 298 3536
Margaret Gane margaretigane@mail.com or phone 022 158 8064