Festival

From Wellington Cathedral of St Paul

NZ Anglican Cathedral Choirs Festival 2006

The choirs of Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Nelson, Dunedin and Christchurch Cathedrals gathered in Christchurch for the NZ Anglican Cathedral Choirs Festival during labour weekend 20 – 23 October. Including recitals and services sung by the massed choirs, the festival also assisted in the celebration of the 125th consecration anniversary of Christchurch Cathedral (1 November, 1881).

A heavy rehearsal, recital and service schedule meant that Directors of Music from each cathedral shared rehearsing and conducting duties. Dunedin and Wellington Cathedrals gave recitals on the Saturday, Wellington boldly showcasing responses by our Composer in Residence, Andrew Baldwin, which were very well received.

Wonderfully cared for by our hosts, we had the unique experience of singing in a choir much larger than we’re accustomed to, meeting choristers from other cathedrals and sampling the varied conducting techniques of other Directors of Music from around the country.

Extra curricular activities for all choirs were centralised around shared meal and break times at Christchurch Cathedral’s equivalent of our Back Bencher Bar (Warner’s). A final shared meal was catered there on the Sunday evening, many of us eating in the very same dining hall that Scott and his team ‘last suppered’ in, just prior to setting off for the South Pole.

The weekend was joyfully rounded off with speeches of thanks, including Michael Fulcher announcing that he had been texted by our Dean inviting everyone to Wellington for Labour Weekend 2008 for the next Anglican Cathedral’s Choirs Festival!

Definitely a great time had by all, made possible by so many generous contributions of time, resources and energy. We would like to give special thanks to our congregation and community here at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul who unfailingly support our fundraising efforts, enabling us to participate in fantastic get-togethers like this one, Greta Claringbold for her superhero assistance with the administration and organisation of shipping us all down and back, Joan Clayton for her good company, unstinting support and hand on the music when we need it and Michael Fulcher for his tireless energy.