City Choir Dunedin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids City Choir Dunedin |
|
|---|---|
| Choir | |
City Choir Dunedin logo
|
|
| Also known as | Dunedin Choral Society Incorporated |
| Former name |
|
| Founded | October 1863 |
| Music director | David Burchell |
| Headquarters | Dunedin, New Zealand |
| Rehearsal space | Mornington Presbyterian Church |
| Affiliation | New Zealand Choral Federation |
| Associated groups |
|
City Choir Dunedin is a group of singers in Dunedin, New Zealand. It's a choir where people of different voice types sing together, and you need to try out to join. Singers of all ages from the Dunedin area can join. They perform big classical music pieces written for choirs. When it started, there were 45 singers. By 2012, it had grown to about 120 members! City Choir Dunedin is part of the New Zealand Choral Federation, an organization started in 1985 to help choirs in New Zealand sing really well.
Contents
What Music Does the Choir Sing?
The choir sings many types of music. This includes music from the Baroque period (like Bach), the Classical period (like Mozart), and the Romantic period (like Beethoven). They also perform new music by composers from New Zealand.
Concerts and Performances
The choir usually performs four or five concerts each year. They often sing with the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra. Sometimes, they also perform with other groups. These include the Dunedin Youth Orchestra, the Saint Kilda Brass Band, and even the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. They also sing with other choirs, like the Christchurch City Choir and Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir.
How Did the Choir Start?
The choir has a long and interesting history! It started way back in 1863.
The Early Years: 1863-1871
In October 1863, two music groups were formed in Dunedin. One was the Dunedin Philharmonic Society, and the other was the Dunedin Choral Society. The Choral Society had its first practice on October 28, 1863.
After a short time, the Choral Society joined with the Philharmonic Society. For a performance of a famous piece called Messiah in 1864, there were 45 singers. The Philharmonic Society continued until 1867.
In 1868, a new group called the Private Musical Society was formed. This group eventually ended in 1871. But then, the Dunedin Choral Society was started again!
Growing and Changing: 1871-1960s
The Dunedin Choral Society continued to perform. In 1889, the choir took a break. Many singers joined a special choir for the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition (1889) held in Dunedin.
In 1897, the Dunedin Choral Society was started for a third time. It faced some challenges and stopped performing in 1913. However, in June 1914, a new Dunedin Choral Society was established. This version of the choir has been singing ever since!
The choir even performed during the First World War. By 1939, it had about 80 members. They used to sing with the 4YA Orchestra, which stopped in 1959. The Dunedin Choral Society also sometimes sang with the Royal Dunedin Male Choir.
New Partnerships and Names: 1960s-Today
In 1961, the Dunedin Concert Orchestra was formed. They performed a big piece called St Matthew Passion with the Dunedin Choral Society. This orchestra later became the Dunedin Civic Orchestra in 1966. It then changed its name to Dunedin Sinfonia, then Southern Sinfonia, and finally the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra in 2016. The Dunedin Symphony Orchestra has been a regular partner for the choir ever since.
The Dunedin Choral Society changed its name to Schola Cantorum in 1967. This happened when it joined with the University Union Choir. Then, in 1993, it became the City of Dunedin Choir. This was the year they celebrated 130 years of singing! At the end of 2012, the choir changed its name again to City Choir Dunedin. This new name was ready for their 150th anniversary in 2013.
Important Conductors
Many talented people have led the choir over the years. Some notable conductors include Sidney Wolf (1914–1922), Victor Galway (1922–1925), Alfred Walmsley (1933–1943), Jack Speirs (1966–1973), and David Burchell (2000–present).
Legal Information
The Dunedin Choral Society is officially registered in New Zealand. On April 26, 1915, it was registered as an incorporated society. This means it's a legal group that can do things like own property. You can find its details on the New Zealand Companies Office website.
On June 30, 2008, the Dunedin Choral Society also became a registered charity. This means it works for the public good and can receive donations. You can find its charity details on the New Zealand Charities Services website.
