Members of the New Zealand Secondary Students' Choir 2023-24 Photo: Jo Miller
Members of the New Zealand Secondary Students' Choir 2023-24 Photo: Jo Miller
The New Zealand Secondary Students' Choir is in Christchurch this school holidays for intensive rehearsals, preparing for concerts in three South Island centres. David Morriss caught up with the choir's Music Director Sue Densem and her son, Alex Cutforth, who's a member of this year's intake.
The choir of over 50 singers, selected at nationwide auditions, join for a two-year cycle. In this year's group, there are eight 'returnees' which means the majority of the choir is new and may not have sung the repertoire previously. Luckily, says Sue, the students are very quick to learn.
"Very 'choir geeky' this lot, and it's brilliant because they pick things up so quickly and make the changes so fast. It's exciting!"
It's the first time Alex has been in the NZSSC, and he's enjoying the experience of being in this standard of choir. "There's so much energy and vibe from everyone, so it just feels so amazing to be part of that in a rehearsal. You think, wow – this is going to be amazing on stage," he says.
Concerts:
Thurs 28 Sept, 7.30pm, St Mary’s Pro Cathedral, Christchurch
Fri 29 Sept, 3.00pm, Craigshead Auditorium, Timaru
Sat 30 Sept, 7.30pm, St Paul’s Cathedral, Dunedin
