Cantando Choir presents ANZAC Reflections at 2.30pm on ANZAC Day Wednesday, April 25.
Cantando's annual ANZAC concerts, in the peaceful setting of the pavilion at Hamilton Gardens, have become a popular focus for the local community.
An exciting inclusion this year is the premiere performance of all three movements of a specially commissioned work, An ANZAC Offering, by young Hamilton composer Katie Johnson. She has used wartime poems and posters as the basis for her stirring composition.
ANZAC Reflections this year includes excerpts from The Armed Man (A Mass for Peace) by Karl Jenkins and Pie Jesu sung by young treble soloist Robert Brodnax.
Eleven-year-old Robert, who attends Marian School, loves singing so much that he is a member of three choirs.
Last year Robert interviewed his own great-grandfather, former Major Gregory Mulvey, as part of his school studies, and heard from him first-hand something of the fighting in the Solomon Islands during the second world war.
Robert was named after his paternal grandfather, Dr Robert Fitzgerald MBE, who lost a lung in France in WWII when the forward first-aid post he was working in as a senior medical student came under gas attack. During the concert Robert will carry that other 'Bobby's' service medals under his robe, in remembrance."
Choir member Chris Young is the soprano soloist, and guest artists are the University of Waikato Brass Ensemble. Dr Ron Smith, also from the university, will read some of the poignant poetry written during the war years.
This year's concert will see the choir introducing its new musical director Rupert D'Cruze. Before coming to New Zealand in 2006 D'Cruze had a distinguished career in Britain, both as a choral and orchestral conductor and as a trombone player. He has already made a name for himself in Hamilton as musical director of the Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra and with the Festival Chorus in the popular Sunset Symphony concerts.
The entry price has been kept low to enable as many members of the community as possible to enjoy the event. A special parking area and easy wheelchair access to the pavilion has been organised for individuals or groups from retirement homes or villages.
Contact: Janet Hanfling 07 855 3551 or janet.hanfling@xtra.co.nz for directions or for further information. Tickets: $15. Children under 12: Free. From Cantando Choir members or pay at the door.
ANZAC Reflections. Wednesday, April 25 at 2.30pm, Hamilton Gardens Pavilion.