In this issue: Traffic light guidelines for choirs / Membership survey / Kids Online Singalong / Cadenza & Finale showcases / Stars at Christmas / Voices NZ new Christmas CD / Season's Greetings from Tour Time / World Choral Day
Dear <<First Name>>
Welcome to the last edition of eBreve for 2021 – and what a year it’s been! As we enter the new ‘traffic light’ framework today, we draw your attention to our own traffic light guidelines for choirs which we shared on our website and via social media earlier this week.
We’ve frequently heard from both choirs and singers how much they have appreciated NZCF’s advice and guidelines throughout the pandemic. It’s clear to us that our role as an umbrella organisation, representing you and your choir’s interests, has never been more important. As your advocates we can effectively voice your questions and issues and identify positive ways forward.
Ehara taku toa e te toa takitahi engari he toa takimano.
My strength is not that of an individual but that of the collective.
We aim to increase our membership substantially in 2022 – the more members we have, the more we can achieve together. Put simply: help us help you, by becoming a member. So we can refine and broaden what we offer our individual members and member choirs, we’ve designed a survey which we would love you to complete, if you haven’t already. You’ll find a link to it below (and by taking part you’ll go in the draw to win a free individual membership for 2022!).
So many performances have been cancelled this year, and we know that is particularly disappointing for our primary and secondary school singers. Next week we’ll be celebrating their achievements with the 2021 Kids Online Singalong and an online showcase featuring choirs that were selected for The Big Sing Finale and the South Island Cadenza, both of which were cancelled.
With Christmas in the air, we thought we’d ask three of our starriest choral alumni – Simon O’Neill, Madeleine Pierard and Jonathan Lemalu - to share their favourite carols, Christmas traditions and festive food with us. We also throw the spotlight on a new CD from Voices NZ, Follow That Star, featuring a number of Christmas compositions by NZ composers.
Our thanks go to all our supporters in 2021, especially Tour Time, our Big Sing sponsors who have stuck with us through thick and thin! We’re pleased to share their Christmas message with you in this newsletter. And finally, if you’re not yet in the mood for celebrating Christmas, you might like to celebrate World Choral Day instead on 12 December.
Wishing you all the best for the festive season.
Meri Kirihimete! | Merry Christmas!
Christine Argyle
Chief Executive New Zealand Choral Federation Te Kotahitanga Manu Reo o Aotearoa
Traffic light guidelines As the country moves into the 'traffic light' COVID-19 Protection Framework today, we've created a page on our website with guidelines to help you and your choir stay safe while navigating the new regulations at each setting.
Have your say in our survey We'd love to hear what you value about NZCF and what you think we could do better. Complete our survey by midnight Sunday 12 December and you'll go in the draw to win a free 2022 individual membership. Have your say.
Kids Online Singalong Keep an eye on our Facebook page next week for this year's Kids Online Singalong video, featuring 588 children from primary and intermediate schools around the country!
Cadenza and Finale showcases Join us on 8 December for three online showcases celebrating the achievements of choirs that were scheduled to perform in the South Island Cadenza and Finale.
Stars at Christmas We asked three of NZ's starriest choral alumni - Jonathan Lemalu, Simon O'Neill and Madeleine Pierard - to share their favourite Christmas carols, recipes and traditions with us.
New release from Voices NZ Just in time for the festive season, Voices NZ have released an online album "Follow that Star" - a collection of mainly NZ choral music. Artistic Director Karen Grylls tells us more.
Season's Greetings from Tour Time We are enormously grateful to our national Big Sing sponsors for their unwavering support during the pandemic, despite another challenging year for the tourism industry. We're pleased to share Tour Time's Christmas message with you.
World Choral Day 12 December 2021 For over three decades, millions of singers from all around the world have joined in this International Federation for Choral Music event espousing the values of solidarity, peace and understanding. Find out how you can join in!
Choral Vacancies
Seeking new Manager to be based in the Wellington office
Conductor internship opportunity in Christchurch
Musical Director needed for barbershop chorus in Tauranga
Director of Music for St Lukes Church and Community Centre
Seeking rehearsal pianist and repetiteur in Hamilton
Tenor or light baritone needed for Auckland-based contemporary vocal ensemble
