NEWSLETTER RSCMNZ CANTERBURY BRANCH
MAY 2015
FOR YOUR DIARY IF NOT ALREADY THERE!
SUNDAY JUNE 21ST – World Music Sunday. 2:00pm
This is an annual event and this year it is to be held in the wonderfully restored Knox
Church. There will be opportunity to sing hymns ‘Ancient and Modern’ and workshop an
anthem. Some entertainment will be provided too. Music Sunday is an International event
that celebrates the singing of Sacred Music and it again provides an opportunity for
reconnecting with others who share our pleasure. Please show your support by
encouraging others to attend too.
SATURDAY AUGUST 29th – Music Fest.
7:00pm
St Mary’s Pro Cathedral Manchester Street
This has been a very enjoyable event supported by highly respected professional Choral
Conductors and involves many choirs including Community, School and Church and any
other interested people. A great opportunity to demonstrate your solidarity for the future
of Choral Music in the city.
Pieces to be sung are:
Ave verum
Jubilate in Bb
Libera me
Elgar
Stanford
Faure (from the Requiem)
A practice will be held at St Mary’s on Friday 28th August at 7.00pm
For details regarding scores please contact Paul Ellis 337 3370 or paulv.ellis@clear.net nz
Past events
Workshop and presentation of Awards April 15 at St
Michael and All Angels
Andrew Reid was inspirational as a presenter and choir trainer. He is a wonderful
musician and led participants through ‘Blessed be the God and Father’ by SS Wesley and
‘The strife is o’er” by Vulpius/Henry Ley with consummate ease. He gathered the
congregation of observers around the combined choirs for an exciting finale of the ‘Strife is
o’er.
Apart from the workshop, the business side of the evening was dedicated to the
presentation of two RSCM Awards. Allan Packman was presented with a Certificate of
Special Service. He has been the Organist and Choirmaster at St Mary’s Merivale for over
40 Years. Paul Ellis, (President of RSCMNZ) was also presented with a Fellowship of the
RSCM ( FRSCM) reflecting his lifelong dedication, accomplishment and enthusiasm for
the RSCM and Church music.
This was a comfortably attended event and heart warming for the recipients to receive
such supportive affirmation. Particular mention should be made of the support of the choir
and parishioners from St Michael and All Angels and St Mary’s Merivale. We do hope
such encouraging attendances can be repeated.
We are grateful to the Parish of St Michaels and RSCM (Canterbury) for providing a
function in the hall after the event.
We certainly hope that Andrew Reid returns to us.
The excellent recital presented by Andrew Reid the following day deserved a wider
audience but was a cultural triumph for those who attended.
Being actively involved in RSCM is fun and very rewarding. It is not an onerous task and
gives us the opportunity to participate in and reflect upon the place sacred music has in
our spiritual life.
Annual meeting and dinner April 30 at the Cashmere Club.
This was a congenial event preceeded by our Annual Meeting and a Committee meeting.
While we were not embarrassed by large numbers those who attended were an excellent
representation of our membership and exceeded the number of apologies by one.
In attendance: Paul Ellis (Chair), Philip Richards, Fr Peter Williams, Murray Lennox, Sue
Lennon, Allan Packman, June Brighting, Don Whelan, Jocelyn Richards and Jane Ellis
Robert Tait.
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