Choir's name to change

After 150 years of notable performances, the City of Dunedin Choir is ringing the changes with a new name.

The singing group will be renamed the City Choir Dunedin next week, at the launch of the choir's 150th anniversary celebrations programme for 2013.

The name change will be officially adopted before the performance of Messiah Sing-along at Knox Church next Tuesday.

''Our choir has survived world wars, an influenza pandemic, the Depression, as well as difficulties such as lack of venues and, at times, a lack of good singers,'' City Choir chairwoman Deborah Dons said yesterday.

''Yet the love of music and of singing has overcome all these shortcomings and, even today, in the age of home entertainment, the choir flourishes. Our achievements over the past 150 years are noteworthy and certainly deserve to be celebrated. The present-day choir of more than 100 members is continuing the proud tradition begun by our founding members.''

Highlights of next year's 150th anniversary programme include the publication of a choir history and the world premiere of For what can be more beautiful?, commissioned from New Zealand composer Christopher Marshall.