Youth choir returning from Covid disruption

• Published date: 25 May 2023
• Publication title: Star, The

Entitled ‘‘Autumnal Tones’’, the concert will be held this Friday, May 26, from 7pm at St Paul’s Cathedral, and will feature the Southern Youth Choir with guest artists Skyla Murray (violin), Rosie Auchinvole (soprano) and Rosie McAllister (soprano)

Under the baton of choir director John Buchanan and co-conductor Kaitlyn Freeman, and accompanied on piano by Sharon McLennan, the choir will perform works by Mozart, Biebl, Chilcott, Toto, Sadler, Vivaldi, and more, as well as a premiere performance of a new work by choir member Nick Finnie.

With the choir comprising mostly tertiary students, Buchanan said the pandemic had made things difficult, both for rehearsals and performances.

‘‘It has been a relief to get back to normal this year, and things have been going brilliantly so far,’’ he said.

‘‘We started the year with 50 young singers, many of whom have come from outside Dunedin to study, and this Friday we will step out on stage with 44 singers, which is great.

‘‘The choir has a huge range of voices within it, which allows us to take on quite a variety of...