Celebration of 25 years in song

TEIRON JONES: Founder of the Wanganui Community Choir. PICTURE / SUPPLIED

2016 marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Wanganui Community Choir, originally named the Wanganui Youth and Community Choir.
Since 25 years is a remarkable length of time to retain the spark and enthusiasm of any group, it is timely to acknowledge not only the inception, but also the vision of the founding members and the continued growth of the choir since those early days.
In 1991, newly appointed head of music at Wanganui High School and gifted musician Teiron Jones sought to share his passion for choral singing with the wider Wanganui Community. He wanted a choir to which people of all age groups and walks of life could belong without auditioning, come and sing for enjoyment, meet other people and learn about music at the same time. He also sought to expand the musical experience of young people to include choral music rather than exclusively revolving around instruments.
From the very first practice, where 82 students and adults turned up at the Wanganui High School hall, the choir blossomed, going on to present many concerts over the next three years, including combining with other choirs on occasion and travelling out of Wanganui to other centres. One of the original procedures established by Teiron and continued to this day by subsequent conductors, was to have the choir perform their pieces from memory.
Teiron became further involved nationally and was a foundation member of the New Zealand Singers - New Zealand's first national representative choir. He was made an Honorary Member of the National Maori Choir of New Zealand through his involvement with Maori singers (locally Morvin Simon MNZM) and choirs.
Sadly, the choir was only to have the support of Teiron and his wife Sue (the choir's accompanist following Ros Burnett) for three years, as in 1994 they left for Tanzania with their eldest son Jared on their life's next musical adventure. However, they left behind a thriving, committed and grateful choir, some of whom have remained and are still current members.
Teiron, having returned to New Zealand, lives in Waitara and continues to be immersed in his music passion. He is a professional singer, conductor, composer, voice training specialist, manufacturer and instructor of steel bands, music teacher, author and founder of many choirs. Born in Wales, Teiron has trained singers, conducted choirs and taught music in the UK, New Zealand, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya and Oman. He studied as a bass-baritone under Gerald Davies at the Welsh College of Music and Drama and became a professional opera, oratorio and concert singer.
Wanganui Community Choir's 25th Anniversary Concert will be held on Saturday, August 13 at 2pm in the Central Baptist Church. Tickets will be available from the Wanganui Royal Opera House with door sales available.