A new chapter for choral music

Choral singers in the Secondary School are performing under an exciting new choir structure introduced this year, with three ensembles instead of two, all featuring new names which better reflect the purpose of each group and the College’s place in Aotearoa New Zealand, says Music teacher, Thomas Woodfield.

“The programme has moved from separate Junior (Years 9–10) and Senior (Years 11–13) choirs to a three tier model comprising an all-comers choir, an auditioned choir, and a combined ensemble,” Thomas explains.

“This structure supports broad participation while allowing for focused musical development.”

He says the previous choir names, Staccoro and Stacchorus, were often confused due to their similarity, so new names, developed with support from teachers, Connor O’Rourke and Wiremu Pickering, have been selected to provide clearer and more meaningful identities.

The auditioned choir is now Ngā Manu Tīoriori (‘the melodious birds’), the all-comers choir is Ngā Oro o te Ngahere (‘the sounds of the forest’), and the combined ensemble performs as Te Kōkī o Hato Ānaru (‘the dawn chorus of St Andrew’s’).

“The new names reflect the natural world, musical purpose, and St Andrew’s commitment to language, culture, and connection,” Thomas adds.