Cathedral Choir
Brian Law with the Cathedral Choir
This choir is the only professional choir of boys and men in New Zealand and one of only two in the southern hemisphere. It is the oldest professional musical entity in New Zealand, being older than the Cathedral itself it was founded six months before the opening of the Cathedral in 1881.
THE CHORISTERS
There are currently 20 choristers in the Cathedral Choir. Their profles follow:
William Simcock
William started with the Cathedral Choir at the beginning of 2011. He is of Ngati Raukawa descent. He loves sports especially rugby, skiing and swimming. In his spare time he enjoys to read and learns hip hop dance. William plays the violin every day and likes a wide variety of music. 'Les Petit Troubadours' by Paul Halley is a particular favourite of William’s.
Andrew Garbett
Andrew was invited to audition for the Cathedral Choristers in late 2010 and joined the choir at the beginning of 2011. He has always loved music, singing almost before he could speak. This passion, coupled with his love of theatre makes him an avid follower of musical theatre with a knowledge many critics would be envious of! His favourite piece from the choir’s repertoire is ‘Climb Every Mountain’. He is also currently learning piano.
Andrew is an accomplished hockey player and has a love of art and design. Animals are also close to his heart; he has often been known to befriend any stray found wandering the streets of Christchurch.
Nathanael Wain
I joined the Cathedral Choir in the middle of 2010 just after my ninth birthday and received my surplice not long after the 4th of September earthquake in Christchurch. I feel very fortunate that I was able to sing in the Cathedral with the choir for the last series of the Cathedral Christmas services. This was a magical experience for me, before the Cathedral tragically came down during the next devastating ‘quake to hit our city on the 22nd of February 2011. I love going to the Cathedral Grammar School and I love playing sports especially rugby, tennis and climbing and being outdoors. I would like to be an inventor when I grow up.
Ben Johnson
Ben has recently joined the Cathedral Choir, after receiving an invitation to audition at the end of 2010. Ben is a proud Cantabrian (born and raised in Christchurch). He enjoys playing card games such as Uno, and reading (especially joke books which he delights in sharing with his family and friends). Ben collects toy skunks, plays hockey, and his preferred past-time is going on forest walks.
His current choral music favourite is ‘Les Petits Troubadours’ from Paul Kelly's Missa Gaia (performed with the Cathedral Choir in June 2011).
Alexander Rowe
My name is Alexander Rowe. I first started singing in The Cathedral Grammar School junior choir when I was six, before moving on to The Christchurch Cathedral Choir. I am now ten years old.
I especially love singing in public performances as it involves a chance to work with lots of musicians and their instruments. It also provides a great chance for a lot of different people to see us sing..
At ten years old, I feel that I have learnt many useful life lessons, especially time management. In my spare time I really enjoy doing many different things like learning to play my electric guitar, riding on my motorbike and playing on my Playstation and computer.
Albert Bell
Albert is nine years old and joined the choristers in 2010. His highlight so far has been performing the Missa Gaia and he loves singing at evensong on Tuesday evenings.
Albert lives with his Mum and Dad and older brother Arthur. He loves playing all sport, particularly rugby. He enjoys spending time with his new puppy, Abby (a black pug) and playing on his iPod touch.
Joshua Morrison
My name is Joshua Morrison and I am 12 years old. I have been a member of the Christchurch Cathedral Choir since 2007. I have learnt a lot working with our Director of Music, Mr Brian Law. Apart from doing our regular services, I enjoy the special concerts we perform from time to time, especially our most recent Missa Gaia which we performed with Paul Halley and his son Nick. The Choir sing many of Mr Halley’s songs and it was a real treat to meet him.
My other main interest is playing sport, especially hockey, and I am pleased I can fit both into a very busy life.
Dominic Aldridge
Dominic has been with the Cathedral Choir since 2010. His family emigrated to New Zealand from the UK in 2002. He enjoys making rafts and (of necessity) swimming. The Xbox is also a favourite and he plans to start judo next term. He also enjoys reading and is currently whizzing through the Harry Potter series. His current choral music favourite is Paul Kelly's Missa Gaia which he performed with the Cathedral Choir in June 2011.
Kane Jones
Kane became a chorister in the second term of 2011. Prior to this Kane was at Harewood School. On a school trip to sing Christmas carols in the Cathedral he was spotted, invited to join the Cathedral Choir and the rest is history! Kane is an enthusiastic music lover, he plays the piano and is in his final year at the Yamaha music school. His favourite sports are rugby league, touch and judo. He also loves art and motorbike riding. Kane is of Maori descent. His iwi - Ti atiawa, Ngati Porou. He comes from a large whanau that are all very important to him. One song he enjoys singing with the Choir is ‘Yesterday’ by the Beetles.
Humphrey Bullen
Humphrey joined the Cathedral Choir as a year 4 boy in 2009, and enjoys singing the music of Mozart, Haydn and Leighton. He is a keen reader: his favourite books at the moment being the Cherub series. He also enjoys films, such as Star Wars, and the television series Dad's Army. He is a big fan of Harry Potter. Humphrey's favourite sports are skiing, swimming and tennis. He has been learning to play the piano since 2010.
Ben Epton
Ben joined the Cathedral Choir in year 4 at the age of 8. He enjoys the the choir very much, particularly the public performances. Ben’s hobbies are chess, Xbox games and mountain biking. He also loves hockey and cricket. Ben loves going to the Cathedral Grammar School and is keen to become an engineer one day.