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A first-class symphonic choir, the Christchurch City Choir plays a significant role in the city's music and civic life, performing choral works of great beauty to loyal and new audiences each year. The City Choir has a long and proud history of contributing to the musical fabric of the city stretching back over 125 years, performing works from the established repertoire as well as lesser-known and contemporary works.
Formally established following the merger of two long-standing choirs in 1991, the Choir flourished for 22 years under the musical leadership of the highly respected Brian Law who retired at the end of 2013. The baton was then taken up by Andrew Withington who, with energy and ideas aplenty, presented a rich and varied programme covering traditional, contemporary, New Zealand and Pasifika repertoire which appealed to a wide range of audiences. In 2016 the Choir had the privilege of working with several distinguished guest conductors and are thrilled to have Dr John Linker take up the baton and lead the choir on the next phase of our journey.
The Choir’s concert programme of 3-4 concerts per year is set annually by the Artistic Director, and often involves the contracting of professional musicians and organisations such as the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Woolston Brass, along with local kapa haka groups and Christchurch schools. Previous performances have attracted soloists of international acclaim, including their very own Patron, Simon O'Neill, and a host of others. |
