KAPITI CHORALE AGM - MARCH 2010

Music Director's Report for 2009

It is my pleasure to present the Annual Report 2009 of the Music Director of the Kapiti Chorale.

In keeping with tradition, three concerts were presented, each one in St Paul's Church Paraparaumu.

Our first concert of the year entitled 1809, a year of note featured choruses from Mendelssohn's Elijah and Haydn's Missa Sancti Nicolai, the year 1809 commemorating the birth of Mendelssohn and the death of Haydn.

Twenty-five Kapiti Chorale members attended the NZCF Workshop on Mendelssohn's Elijah in Wellington the first weekend of May and this proved a positive pre-concert activity.

Our second concert was the presentation of Haydn's The Creation with Lesley Graham, Richard Phillips and Peter Russell, soloists, Peter Averi on organ and a string orchestra led by Jay Hancox. For musical reasons I was obliged to replace the contracted Tenor at the last minute and we were fortunate that Richard Phillips from Auckland was available to step in [literally from the airport to the Dress rehearsal] and do a splendid job.

Several members of the Kapiti Chamber Choir asked to join in this magnificent work with us so we performed with an enlarged choir. As space was limited with a large choir and an orchestra, the staging team, led by Pat Shields, constructed an invaluable addition to the altar steps which enabled the choir to spread across on one level. My thanks to Pat and his team for this marvellous improvement.

John Jennings is to be congratulated and thanked for the beautiful images he found and projected on a screen in the church, each one relating to a specific creation.

Thanks to John again for the production of a DVD of the performance. Whilst this was a nice momento of a superb performance, the DVD didn't do justice visually or aurally as the camera was static and there were no directional microphones. These are factors to consider in the future. The performance was hailed by many as a 'triumph' and I don't think the Kapiti Chorale has ever sung better. It was a thrilling performance.

Our third concert was entitled A celebration of Christmas and featured the NZ Première of Karl Jenkins' work by this name. The programme featured a NZ Christmas, a Kapiti Christmas and a Traditional Christmas. It was a concert of small pieces and was a difficult programme to learn and present but was aided by the glittering addition of Amelia Berry, our first recipient of the Kapiti Chorale Award in Vocal Performance.

A bonus of this award is the new audience it is attracting from the Victoria University Foundation. They are delighted to use our concerts and afternoon tea as a thank-you to their supporters and benefactors.

Membership:
Numbers are healthy but we need more Basses and Tenors. Recruitment must be on-going and word-of-mouth is probably the most effective way of attracting new members. Placement and seating is an issue, particularly with the Soprano section. Unless people are prepared to move, new members will always be relegated to the back row. I ask for your understanding and cooperation in this.

Rehearsal Pianist and vocal coach:
Sincere thanks to Ellen Barrett, Life Member, our rehearsal pianist and vocal coach. I am very privileged to be able to work with Ellen. She is a most dedicated supporter of the Chorale and a sympathetic vocal coach and accompanist. She is a true friend to the Chorale in so many ways.

Committee:
I would like to thank the Committee for their hard work. Each member contributes so much from organising a rostrum with lighting and always setting up the rehearsal venue to impeccable programmes and concert preparation. The skills the committee bring to concert preparation are impressive. The website is regularly updated and is something to be proud of. Thank you to our retiring Librarian, Graeme Wallace for the years of effort he has contributed.

Special thanks to Norma McCallum Presidente Extraordinaire:
Norma had brought such vision, energy and commitment to the role of President and her leadership will be sorely missed. Thank you Norma. Our love and best wishes to you.

Lastly, I thank you, the members of the Kapiti Chorale, for your enthusiasm, dedication and friendship. I value my association with you all.