Handel: Israel in Egypt
the dramatic biblical story of the Israelites'
escape from slavery in Egypt
Musical Director: Nigel Williams
Douglas Mews - organ
Elizabeth Mandeno - soprano
Jessica Wells - alto
Saturday 28th September, 3pm
St Peters in the City, 130 Spring Street, Tauranga
Premiere of
Flax Fingers Weave the Moonlight
Music for Matariki composed and directed
by Nigel Williams
Accompanied by string quartet, flute, piano and percussion
Compere: Carol Storey
Saturday 6th July 2024
St Peters in the City, 130 Spring Street, Tauranga
Choice of times - 1:30pm OR 4:00pm.
Acknowledgements
Amorangi Kuka (Ngāti Ranginui) for the Flax Fingers design
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Saturday 13th April 2024, 4pm
Gabriel Fauré: Requiem and other short pieces at St Peter's in the City Musical Director: Nigel Williams Organist: Matthew Chanwai Pianist: Leon Gray Soloists: Wendy Coster (soprano) and Chalium Poppy (baritone) |
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Messe de Minuit pour Noël,
by Marc-Antoine Charpentier,
and other Christmas music
Saturday 9th December 2023, 4pm
St Peters in the City, 130 Spring Street, Tauranga
Musical Director: Nigel Williams
Organist: Douglas Mews
Pianist: Leon Gray
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We're delighted to be joined for this concert by students from Tauranga Boys' and Tauranga Girls' Colleges, who will be contributing to our programme. The choir's focus piece is Bob Chilcott's Little Jazz Mass plus we'll be singing some favourite shorter pieces. Saturday 5th August, 4pm St Peters in the City, 130 Spring Street, Tauranga. |
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Below is just one of the many positive comments we received after our performances of Karl Jenkins' The Armed man: a Mass for Peace.
"Congratulations on your magnificent concert on Saturday 20th May. I did not know The Armed Man or what to expect, but I was enthralled and came out 'buzzing'.
The piece itself is a strange but fascinating mixture of musical and choral styles, from the powerful 'Charge!' to the beautiful 'Agnus Dei'. But it was the whole choir's precision performance that really struck me: spot-on timing, dramatic crescendos, emotional quieter parts... under the baton of Nigel Williams whose expressiveness
and control was a joy to watch. "Well done!" to you all - choir, soloists, orchestra and conductor."
"Congratulations on your magnificent concert on Saturday 20th May. I did not know The Armed Man or what to expect, but I was enthralled and came out 'buzzing'.
The piece itself is a strange but fascinating mixture of musical and choral styles, from the powerful 'Charge!' to the beautiful 'Agnus Dei'. But it was the whole choir's precision performance that really struck me: spot-on timing, dramatic crescendos, emotional quieter parts... under the baton of Nigel Williams whose expressiveness
and control was a joy to watch. "Well done!" to you all - choir, soloists, orchestra and conductor."
The Armed Man, by Karl Jenkins
May 19th (Friday), 7.30pm
May 20th (Saturday), 3pm
St Peter's in the City, 130 Spring Street, Tauranga
Accompanists: Vaughan Chetwynd (organ),
Leon Gray (piano), Christine Martin (flute/piccolo),
Charlotte Ketel (cello), Jorge Meza Rivera and Mone Isoda (percussion),
and Hiro Kobayashi and Josh Crump (trumpets),
under the musical direction of Nigel Williams.
Tickets $20 plus $2.20 booking fee
School children free
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Saturday 3rd December 2022, 4pm
at St Peters in the City, Tauranga Directed by Nigel Williams, and accompanied by Martin Setchell (organ) and Hiro Kobayashi (trumpet). Martin, currently resident organist for the Christchurch City Choir, is an international concert organist and accompanist. He is described as specialising in "rendering orchestral accompaniments on the organ when an orchestra is unavailable". Hiro is an excellent trumpet player, and has accompanied the choir on several previous occasions. |
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Saturday 27th August 2022, 3pm
St Peters in the City, 130 Spring Street, Tauranga
A musical miscellany, including well-known folk songs and favourite classical pieces
Musical Director: Nigel Williams
Accompanist: Leon Gray
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Dvorak Mass in D plus music by Bach, Brahms and Mendelssohn Musical Director: Nigel Williams Saturday 28th May 2022, 3pm St Peter's in the City, 130 Spring Street, Tauranga. |
Carols at the Mount
in association with The Mount Mainstreet
Sunday 19th December, 10am
outside Eves Real Estate, 121 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui.
A selection of Christmas music, old and new.
We invite you to bring a donation for Tauranga Foodbank.
in association with The Mount Mainstreet
Sunday 19th December, 10am
outside Eves Real Estate, 121 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui.
A selection of Christmas music, old and new.
We invite you to bring a donation for Tauranga Foodbank.
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Music at the Quarry Saturday 11th December 2021, 2pm Te Puna Quarry Park, 110 Te Puna Quarry Road, Te Puna, Tauranga. |
Carols on Campus
in partnership with The University of Waikato
Thursday 9 December 2021, 5.00pm
Level 1, The Hub
University of Waikato, 101 Durham St, Tauranga.
in partnership with The University of Waikato
Thursday 9 December 2021, 5.00pm
Level 1, The Hub
University of Waikato, 101 Durham St, Tauranga.
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WINTER WARMERS:
a miscellany of music for a winter's afternoon Saturday 24th July, 2:30pm Otumoetai Baptist Church, Otumoetai Road, Tauranga Sunday 25th July, 2:30pm St Paul's Presbyterian Church, 1 Mulgan Street, Katikati Tickets: $20. School aged children free if accompanied by an adult. Door sales: Cash only - no EFTPOS |
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Singing through Time: a selection of choral music from the 16th to the 21st century Saturday 10th April, 2:30pm St Peter's Presbyterian Church, Cnr Cameron Road and Spring Street, Tauranga Tickets: $20 |
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Saturday November 7th, 2020. 2:30pm Otumoetai Baptist Church, Otumoetai Road, Tauranga A selection of short pieces in a variety of styles, including some jazz, spirituals, folk songs, Beatles, and Coronation anthems - something for everyone. It was great to perform once again - and to a full house - after a year of uncertainty and Covid restrictions. |
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December 2019 - Christmas carols
We had a change from our usual carol concert at the Tauranga Art Gallery.
Instead of singing at the Tauranga Art Gallery, as we have done in past years, we sang at
The Crossing Shopping Centre, at The Lakes, Tauriko.
Sunday 29th September 2019, 2:30pm
Otumoetai Baptist Church, 241 Otumoetai Road, Tauranga
RESOUNDINGLY RUTTER
MAGNIFICAT
and other pieces
by John Rutter
Otumoetai Baptist Church, 241 Otumoetai Road, Tauranga
RESOUNDINGLY RUTTER
MAGNIFICAT
and other pieces
by John Rutter
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FAURÉ : REQUIEM and other pieces by Fauré, Franck, Gounod and Duruflé. Saturday 29th June 2019 7:30 pm |
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Sunday 14th April 2019 2:30 pm Otumoetai Baptist Church, 241 Otumoetai Road, Tauranga. A smorgasbord of rousing choruses and beautiful quieter pieces, along with magnificent singing from our guest soloists. |
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Sunday 9th December 2018: 2:30 pm
at Tauranga Art Gallery
Christmas carols, old and new.
During the carol concert, and as a result of our Kiwi Armistice event, we were thrilled to present a cheque for almost $26,000 to a representative from
Waipuna Hospice.
at Tauranga Art Gallery
Christmas carols, old and new.
During the carol concert, and as a result of our Kiwi Armistice event, we were thrilled to present a cheque for almost $26,000 to a representative from
Waipuna Hospice.
Sunday 11th November 2018: 100 years: A Kiwi Armistice
A packed house of over 800 people enjoyed this evening, commemorating such a significant event in our history. The programme featured various aspects of the war years, and the music ranged from music-hall songs, to hymns, to soldiers’ ditties and marching songs, to gritty songs that reveal the awfulness of war, to songs of hope for a brighter future, finishing with Sir Harry Lauder's evergreen "Keep Right On To The End Of The Road", written after his son had been killed in action.
Taking part with us were Philip Smith on organ, and Leon Gray on piano; Tauranga City Brass, and Elaine Wogan, soprano. Tom Bradley and Elizabeth Price provided narration, with a montage of still shots covering various aspects, such as pre-war New Zealand, soldiers leaving for war, wartime scenes, and volunteer work.
Proceeds from the event were donated to Waipuna Hospice to support the wonderful work they do in our community.
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SUNDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER 2018 3:00 pm We were delighted to welcome back Chor-Farmer, the highly-acclaimed male voice choir from Tokyo, on their 21st Australia and New Zealand Goodwill Tour, and enjoyed presenting a few of our G and S songs as part of the concert. Venue: Wesley Church, 13th Avenue, Tauranga. Proceeds went to the earthquake strengthening fund for Wesley Church hall. |
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Sunday 26th August, 2018. 3 pm A Bit of G and S At St Paul's Church, Cnr Main Road and Mulgan Street, Katikati. An informal afternoon of innocent merriment: a selection of Gilbert and Sullivan favourites from The Mikado, Yeomen of the Guard, Pirates of Penzance, The Gondoliers, Patience, and HMS Pinafore, performed to a full house and appreciative audience. |
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MAY 26th 2018, 7:30 pm, St Peter's church in Tauranga.
A German Requiem, to Words of the Holy Scriptures, Op. 45 (German: Ein Deutsches Requiem, nach Worten der heiligen Schrift) by Johannes Brahms is a large-scale work for chorus, orchestra, a soprano and baritone soloist. It was composed at a difficult time in his life between 1865 and 1868. Brahms' mother died in February 1865, a loss that caused him much grief and may well have inspired Ein Deutsches Requiem. Brahms' lingering feelings over his close friend and fellow composer Robert Schumann’s death in July 1856 may also have been a motivation to complete the work.
The first performance of the original six movements (movements 1 – IV and VI – VII) premiered in Bremen Cathedral on Good Friday, 10 April 1868, with Brahms conducting. The performance was a great success and marked a turning point in Brahms' career. Brahms added another movement, what is now the 5th movement, shortly after, and the Requiem has become a much-admired choral concert piece.
While Brahms, at the invitation of his publisher, provided a piano reduction of the orchestral score, we are delighted to have Douglas Mews adapt this for organ, with the addition of the original percussion (timpani) score.
TUESDAY 27 MARCH, 2018: 7:00 pm, at Mount Maunganui College
A joint relaxed concert with some students from the college. The programme consisted of a variety of short pieces, from Brahms to jazz, both vocal and instrumental, and we appreciated hearing some of our local talented young people.
A joint relaxed concert with some students from the college. The programme consisted of a variety of short pieces, from Brahms to jazz, both vocal and instrumental, and we appreciated hearing some of our local talented young people.
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What better way to begin celebrations of the Christmas season than with music from Bach's Christmas Oratorio? We were expertly accompanied by the chamber orchestra, organist, trumpeter, and timpanist, and our soloists were wonderful. We thoroughly enjoyed participating in this concert, and judging by comments from some of the audience, it was appreciated by those who listened. |
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We had a wonderful afternoon in Hamilton - St Peter's Cathedral was a superb venue, and we enjoyed singing great music to an appreciative audience. Our programme consisted of 10 short pieces, ranging from Bach, Brahms and Mozart, to well-known folk songs, and we were privileged to present 2 pieces arranged by our Musical Director, Nigel Williams - Skye Boat Song, and Amazing Grace. The latter incorporated the Last Post, played by Bill Stoneham on trumpet. Bill and Nigel also combined to entertain us with some organ and trumpet music. |
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CELEBRATING CREATION – August 2017
The programme included some short well-known pieces such as Loch Lomond and Shenandoah, and featured Andrew Carter's Benedicite. Andrew Carter says of his music, ‘Benedicite is simply the Latin title for All the world, praise the Lord. The English Prayer Book takes thirty-three verses to say so; I chose a few of the old verses and added a sprinkling of new verses to make ... eleven movements'.
We were joined by St Peter's Cathedral Junior Choir from Hamilton.
The programme included some short well-known pieces such as Loch Lomond and Shenandoah, and featured Andrew Carter's Benedicite. Andrew Carter says of his music, ‘Benedicite is simply the Latin title for All the world, praise the Lord. The English Prayer Book takes thirty-three verses to say so; I chose a few of the old verses and added a sprinkling of new verses to make ... eleven movements'.
We were joined by St Peter's Cathedral Junior Choir from Hamilton.
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On 1 April, the Tauranga Civic Choir presented its first concert of 2017. The programme included Haydn's master work, the Lord Nelson Mass (also known as the Imperial), and 2 shorter works – Mozart's Ave Verum Corpus, Brahms’ How Lovely are Thy Dwellings. Douglas Mews, our accompanist for the concert played 2 organ preludes.
We had 4 outstanding soloists joining us for this concert. Elaine Wogan, soprano; Jessica Wells, alto; Koli Jayatunge, tenor; Ian Campbell, bass; plus renowned organist, Douglas Mews. This is also the first official concert conducted by our new Musical Director, Nigel Williams. Nigel has both sung in and conducted the choir on many occasions. |
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ELIJAH an Oratorio by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
The Oratorio ELIJAH draws on the accounts in the Old Testament of the exploits of the prophet Elijah in his epic battle with the prophets of Baal, King Ahab, and wicked Queen Jezebel. It also highlights other aspects of Elijah's story. Mendelssohn's Jewish heritage clearly drew him to dramatise musically, this part of his nation's history. We are told that he spent at least 10 years considering how to do this, before the Birmingham invitation spurred him into action. |
A real Japanese treat! 6 September 2016
Once again Tauranga was treated to the superb singing of Japanese male voices with the visit in September of Chor-Farmer for Tokyo.
This year they undertook their 20th concert tour of Australia and New Zealand having first toured in 1977. Led by inspirational conductor Hiroshi Masumoto the choir, comprising 26 voices, presented a concert with a wide genre ranging from classical, pop and folk music. Their outstanding regular piano accompanist Masako Yuyama accompanied them and also performed piano solos.
Chor-Farmer was formed in 1967 at the Tokyo University of Agriculture and next year will mark their 50th Anniversary. They have been 4 time winners of Tokyo Choral Competitions and have been the guest choir at many choral festivals.
We do hope to see them back in Tauranga in 2018.
The visiting choir members were billeted by our choir members and friends of the choir. Many had built long and lasting friendships over many years. Language barriers were broken down and replaced by camaraderie and a mutual love of singing and music. In all, it was a memorable experience, particularly for those of us who billeted for the first time. Chor-Farmer are welcome to come back any time - soon!
This year they undertook their 20th concert tour of Australia and New Zealand having first toured in 1977. Led by inspirational conductor Hiroshi Masumoto the choir, comprising 26 voices, presented a concert with a wide genre ranging from classical, pop and folk music. Their outstanding regular piano accompanist Masako Yuyama accompanied them and also performed piano solos.
Chor-Farmer was formed in 1967 at the Tokyo University of Agriculture and next year will mark their 50th Anniversary. They have been 4 time winners of Tokyo Choral Competitions and have been the guest choir at many choral festivals.
We do hope to see them back in Tauranga in 2018.
The visiting choir members were billeted by our choir members and friends of the choir. Many had built long and lasting friendships over many years. Language barriers were broken down and replaced by camaraderie and a mutual love of singing and music. In all, it was a memorable experience, particularly for those of us who billeted for the first time. Chor-Farmer are welcome to come back any time - soon!
Jazz in June & Mass in Blue
On Sunday 19 June an enthusiastic audience got in the groove at Baycourt. First to the smooth sounds of the Julie Mason Trio and Stephen Morton Jones on Saxophone. Then to a virtuoso performance by Phil Broadhurst, New Zealand's foremost jazz pianist, well known for his composing, arrangements and long term broadcasting career. This mixture of jazz standards and new compositions was refreshing and rewarding.
The Choir then presented Mass in Blue by Will Todd. We are not sure whether it has been performed before in NZ, but certainly this could have been its premiere. Magnificently accompanied by the Julie Mason Trio, with alto saxophone solos by Stephen Morton Jones, B.Mus.(Hon.) from Massey University, the Mass was presented in all its drama, pathos and triumph by a slightly smaller choir than usual, in the jazz idiom. Our soloist, ex Tauranga girl and one of the semi finalists for this year's Lexus Song Quest, Imogen Thirlwall, soared over the choir and trio, often engaged in counterpoint with the saxophone, thrilling the audience with the clarity, power and beauty of her voice. Her command of the jazz idiom, despite her classical training was breathtaking and was a credit to her musicality and versatility. In every way, Jazz in June has been a success. A multi-taste audience experienced jazz and choral music mixed in what proved to be both a moving and dramatic way. The choir was jolted out of it's comfort zone, and many new lessons were learned. Congratulations to Musical Director, Jeremy Whimster, for choosing this challenging work. |
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We had the thrill of presenting music written especially for us by Nigel Williams, who was educated in Auckland, graduating from Auckland University with MMus in Composition. Since then, he has composed over 30 works. Nigel is a music teacher by profession, having taught at Westlake Girls High School, St Paul's Collegiate, Scots College, Marsden School for Girls, and Mill Hill School in London. After a time in the UK, Nigel returned home and settled in Tauranga where a happy association has developed with Tauranga Civic Choir. Upon receiving the commission from TCC, Nigel traveled to the Auckland War Memorial Museum and researched letters and diary entries by soldiers who fought in WW1. One of these was Nigel's great uncle (Bright Williams) who happened to be, at 105, the last surviving veteran from the Great War. The resultant work was entitled "Letters from our Boys". It was poignant, dramatically expressive and very moving. NZ COMPOSERS To complete our repertoire of local music, we presented works by Helen Caskie, David N Childs, Diane Cooper, David Hamilton, Douglas Mews, Phillip Norman and John Wells. There was a mix of humour, nonsense, sea shanties, sacred music and a Maori lullaby! |
2015 Concerts
April - The Armed Man
July - Baroque_Ah!
November - The English Connection
July - Baroque_Ah!
November - The English Connection