Singing runs in family for choir members

Two Hawke's Bay singers are among a 57-strong New Zealand Secondary Students' Choir performing in Napier this month. Photo/Supplied

Singing at Waiapu Cathedral runs in the family for two members of a national students' choir performing in Napier this month.

Woodford House student Amelia Foster, 17, is one of two Hawke's Bay students singing in the New Zealand Secondary Students' Choir's (NZSSC) upcoming concert at Waiapu Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist on January 20.

The other is Sam Harris from Central Hawkes Bay College in Waipukurau.

Amelia and her mother, Natalie Stent, both sing in the St John's Cathedral Choir at Waiapu Cathedral.

Greta Healy-Melhuish, 17, of Wellington, did not realise the significance of the upcoming concert at Waiapu Cathedral until her father, John Melhuish, reminded her he had sung there as part of the St John's Cathedral Choir for many years as well as his father, uncle and cousins.

Greta, who was head girl of Wellington East Girls' College in 2017 (her father was head boy at Napier Boys in 1978) is NZSSC co-leader with Morgan King from Dilworth College.

In July 2018, both Sam and Amelia will travel with the choir to Hong Kong to attend 'Belt & Road' World Choir Festival as well performances in Shanghai.

Students aged 14 to 18 are chosen to be part of the NZSSC for a two-year membership to learn from top vocal teachers and consultants culminating in an international tour.

In 2016, the group went to Canada and was guest choir at International Choir Kathaumixw in British Columbia.

The current 57-strong choir will arrive in Hawke's Bay on January 17 and will rehearse at Lindisfarne College in the lead up to the concert.

Under the direction of Dr Andrew Withington, the singers will offer a multicultural repertoire, including works by Eric Whitacre, Shawn Kirchner, Pachelbel, Sydney Guillaume, David N. Childs and Puanaki Whanau.

In 2016, NZSSC celebrated its 30th anniversary with an impressive alumni, including Simon O'Neill, Johnathan Lemalu, Christopher Bruerton, Anna Leese Guidi and Hawke's Bay soprano Madeleine Pierard.

Former Havelock North High School student, Benson Wilson, is another alumnus inspiring current members.

Wilson won the 2016 Lexus Song Quest and has gone on to study at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

The concert will be held at Waiapu Cathedral on Saturday, January 20 at 7.30pm. Tickets available from www.nzsschoir.com.