Choral Connect 2021: Presentations and Workshops
Building Bridges, Replacing Coloniality
Professor André de Quadros describes his choral work in prisons, racial injustice, peacebuilding and reconciliation, and refugees and forced migration. He sees choral music as a space of infinite possibility for shared humanity, while interrogating and dismantling systems of coloniality, power, white supremacy, and oppression.
Pou-Rewa: Mātauranga Māori and Creativity
Prof. Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal discusses what is meant by mātauranga Māori, a model for mātauranga Māori creativity, and a new music composition course in development.
Engaging Pasifika Music
Dr. Matatumua Opeloge Ah Sam highlights a practical approach to engaging Pasifika music in educational, professional and performance contexts. This workshop draws from historical, social and cultural aspects that inform the practice, commissioning and performance of Pasifika music (and dance) in modern Aotearoa.
Programming
Sofi Jeannin discusses programming by drawing on her extensive experience working with a variety of ensemble types, from the children at the choir school of La Maîtresse de Radio France, to the professional singers she now leads as Chief Conductor of the BBC Singers.
Hand in Hand
Assoc. Prof. Cristian Grases is a Venezuelan-born conductor and composer who heads up the choral programme at University of Southern California. In this presentation he explores the relationship between composing and conducting.
Tuatahi te taringa, Tuarua te waha, Tuatoru te karu
Robert Wiremu discusses diction and sound aesthetic in te reo Māori.
The Conducting Toolbox
Elise Bradley provides a personal, interactive journey inside the choral conducting process, looking at philosophy, pedagogy and a number of tools that aid musical outcomes.
Creativity
Catrin Johnsson discusses ideas, theories and scientific findings about creativity, using two models which outline and describe the different stages of the creative process as well as feelings and qualities involved in artistic creations.
Workshop on Māori Waiata
Ataahua Papa explores the various types of waiata, their function and history, and stylistic approaches to their performance.
Taonga Pūoro Workshop
Horomona Horo introduces us to the instruments, and how to approach using them in performance.
Repertoire Reading Session
Megan Flint, David Squire, Jono Palmer, and Elise Bradley present three works in a reading session with delegates, and discuss some of the questions to consider when selecting repertoire. The session covers a variety of styles and genres and includes voicings for mixed choir, children’s choir, treble voices, and lower voices.
Conducting Masterclass
A masterclass for conductors, led by Karen Grylls with the New Zealand Secondary Schools Choir.
Composition Workshop 1
With Assoc. Prof. Karen Grylls, David Hamilton, & Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir.
Composition Workshop 2
With Assoc. Prof. Karen Grylls, David Hamilton, & Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir.