Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Cathedral Choir

The Choir of Wellington Cathedral of St Paul is an auditioned volunteer adult choir of 25-28 mixed voices. It has developed a reputation as one of the finest ensembles of its kind in Australasia. The choir has toured to Australia; Fiji; England and Ireland (2002); and England and Paris (2008).

In addition to singing regular services at the Cathedral, the choir performs frequently in concerts and radio and television broadcasts. For many years the Cathedral Choir has sung on TVNZ's live coverage of ANZAC Day commemorations at the National War Memorial, and TVNZ broadcast their 2010 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. Other highlights in recent years include the Christmas Midnight Mass (2004), the Tomb of an Unknown Warrior Ceremonies (2004) and the service commemorating the 60th Anniversary of VP Day (2005). In 2009 the service of Nine Lessons and Carols was recorded by Radio New Zealand Concert for future broadcast.

Andrew Baldwin, a former member of the choir, served as Composer-in-Residence at the Cathedral from 2007 to 2009.

(Bio: wellingtoncathedral.org.nz.)

Michael Fulcher (director)

Michael Fulcher's initial musical training was as a boy chorister in the Cathedral Choir of St John's in Brisbane. After a short time as a medical student, Michael followed his true calling to music, studying organ and conducting at the University of Queensland and the Queensland Conservatorium.

He was Director of Music at Melbourne University's Trinity College from 1994 to 1996. Moving to the United Kingdom in 1997, Michael studied conducting with Mark Elder and Charles Mackerras; and worked at English National Opera, New Sussex Opera, and Janice Chapman's international singing studio. During this period he spent six months in Milan studying Italian and maintaining freelance commitments in England.

Michael was very active as vocal coach and accompanist in London and Paris where he was also Organiste Titulaire of St George's Anglican Church, Paris. Michael has conducted the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hanover Band.

After three years based in Paris as a freelance repetiteur and accompanist, in 2004 Michael took up the position  of Organist and Director of Music at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul and Music Director of the Orpheus Choir of Wellington. He left Wellington in June 2011 to take up the position of Organist at St John's Cathedral, Brisbane.

(Bio: wellingtoncathedral.org.nz, stjohnscathedral.com.au. Photo: orpheuschoir.org.nz.)

Richard Apperley (organist)

Richard is the Assistant Director of Music at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, and is at the forefront of his generation of New Zealand organists. He is much in demand as an accompanist, soloist, conductor and teacher.

Richard formerly held the post of Assistant Organist at Lincoln Cathedral, where he benefited from the opportunity of accompanying and directing one of the United Kingdom's top cathedral choirs. Prior to his time at Lincoln, he was Assistant Organist at St Michael's Church, Highgate, London.

Alongside his work as an organist Richard works as an audio engineer for his production company Hadfield Audio and manages his publishing label Organism. He is also the Musical Director to Wellington based chamber choir Cantoris. A keen promoter of New Zealand music, Richard has compiled and edited two volumes of New Zealand organ works, published by Fagus Music (UK).

(Bio: wellingtoncathedral.org.nz, richardapperley.com. Photo: wellingtoncathedral.org.nz.)

Order of Service

00:00 - Radio New Zealand Concert introduction

00:33 - Once in Royal David's City
Words: Mrs C.F. Alexander (1818-1895)
Music: H.J. Gauntlett (1805-1876)
Harmonisation: A.H. Mann (1850-1929)
Descant: James O'Donnell (b.1961)

05:08 - The Bidding
given by The Very Reverend Frank Nelson, Dean

06:44 - The Lord's Prayer (in Te Reo Māori)

10:00 - First Lesson
The disobedience of man and woman towards God (Genesis 3:8-15)
read by Michael Fulcher, Organist and Director of Music

12:13 - Adam lay y-bounden
Words: anonymous English carol (c.1450)
Music: Peter Warlock (1894-1930)

13:22 - Second Lesson
God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. (Genesis 22:15-18)
read by Ann Gaynor, Vestry member

14:30 - Laetentur coeli
Words: Sarum Advent respond
Music: William Byrd (c.1542-1623)

18:15 - Third Lesson
Christ's birth and Kingdom are foretold by Isaiah. (Isaiah 9:2,6-7)
read by Harry Di Somma, Head Chorister-elect

19:15 - Come Thou Redeemer of the Earth
Words: St Ambrose (c.340-397)
Translated: J.M. Neale (1818-1866)
Melody adapted by Michael Praetorius (1571-1621)
Harmonised by G.R. Woodward (1848-1934)
Descant: Philip Walsh (b.1966)

23:12 - Fourth Lesson
The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown. (Isaiah 11:1-9)
read by Peter Barnett, reader and intercessor

25:58 - Balulalow
Words: James, John & Robert Wedderburn
Music: Peter Warlock (1894-1930)

28:32 - Fifth Lesson
The Angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary. (Luke 1:26-38)
read by The Reverend Judith Wigglesworth, Priest Assistant, Children's Worship Centre

31:01 - The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
Words: Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924)
Music: Basque traditional
Arranged by Edgar Pettman (1866-1943)

33:46 - Sixth Lesson
St Luke tells of the birth of Jesus. (Luke 2:1-7)
read by Jill Bay, Education For Ministry group

35:58 - Lullay my liking
Text: traditional 15th century
Music: Andrew Baldwin (b.1986)

40:53 - Seventh Lesson
The shepherds go to the manger. (Luke 2:8-16)
read by Richard Field-Dodgson, Dean's Warden

42:11 - Silent Night
Words: Joseph Mohr (1792-1848)
Translated by J.F. Young (1820-1885)
Melody adapted by F.X. Gruber (1787-1863)

45:24 - Eighth Lesson
The wise men are led by the star to Jesus. (Matthew 2:1-12)
read by Richard Woods, Sidesperson

48:15 - Videntes stellam
Latin words from Matthew 2:10-11
English words from Nativitie by John Donne (1572-1631)
Music: Huw Belling (b.1986)

51:59 - Ninth Lesson
St John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation. (John 1:1-14)
read by The Reverend Jenny Wilkens, Canon in Residence

54:15 - O come, all ye faithful (Offertory hymn)
Words: Latin, 18th centuryTranslated by Frederick Oakeley (1802-1880) and others
Music: Adeste Fideles by J.F. Wade (1711-1786)
Arranged by David Hill (b.1957)

59:53 - Acclamations
led by The Very Reverend Frank Nelson, Dean

60:39 - The Blessing
given by The Right Reverend Dr Thomas Brown, Bishop of Wellington

61:21 - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Music: Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Arranged by David Hill (b.1957)