New Zealand Youth Choir

The nationally loved and internationally renowned New Zealand Youth Choir tours to Auckland and Warkworth in the first week of September. Drawing on New Zealand’s best young voices, the sound of the 51-strong choir has been called “a sonic weapon” by reviewers – and this is only halfway through the build-up to its next international tour.

The choir, which regularly performs and competes overseas, is noted for the variety and freshness of its repertoire. Though it proudly announces its identity worldwide through its waiatas and New Zealand compositions, the Choir also spans centuries of music from around the world. It’s all grist to their mill: ancient Latin motets, the church anthems of Thomas Tallis, the high Romanticism of Rachmaninoff and the latest works of Schnittke and Rautavaara.

Artistic Director Karen Grylls frequently travels to choral events around the world, and is always thrilled to discover new works to bring back for New Zealand audiences. This year Grylls returns from a sabbatical in Europe and Canada inspired by the latest developments in choral singing internationally.

The NZYC’s recitals this year encompass sacred music including the brilliant Frank Martin “Mass for Double Choir”. Also of note is Jack Body’s breathtaking “Carol to St Stephen” – where the Choir splits into three smaller choirs, with three soloists, and brings to life the magnificence of polyphony.

The remainder of the first half may also include Swider’s “Cantus Gloriosus”, Rachmaninoff’s “Bogoroditse Devo” and Mendelssohn’s “Zweite Psalm”.

The Choir have a repertoire of some 40 pieces from which the concert programme is selected. Many works are technically demanding, requiring members of the choir to be soloists, chamber musicians and choristers – all at the same time.

The choir, which meets at least three times each year, is just over halfway through its three-year build-up to an overseas tour. The NZYC has competed successfully at numerous overseas competitions and the members of this latest incarnation fully expect to keep up the tradition.

New Zealand Youth Choir September concerts

Auckland Saturday 5 September, 7.30pm, Baradene College Auditorium, 237 Victoria Avenue, Remuera.

For tickets and information phone 04 802 4047. Door sales cash or cheque (no eft-pos). Tickets may be pre-purchased from Poppies Remuera, Village Green, 415 Remuera “My Kind of Bookshop”.

Warkworth Wednesday 2 September, 7.30pm, Lifeway Church, 20 Goodall Road, Snells Beach.

For tickets and information phone 04 802 4047. Door sales cash or cheque (no eft-pos). Tickets may be pre- purchased from Dorothy’s, 15 Neville Street, Warkworth.

Tickets: $25 Adult; $20 Seniors/Concession; $10 Student; $5 Child NZYC Alumni $20. www.youthchoir.org.nz

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