OBHS Auditorium, Saturday, May 26
Southern Youth Choir performed for a good-sized audience in OBHS Auditorium on Saturday evening, reviewer Elizabeth Bouman writes.
John Rutter’s suite of 11 British folk songs A Sprig of Thyme offering a variety of contrasting choral arrangements of well-known lyrics was an excellent choice. Among the songs were The Keel Row with its bright dotted rhythmic delivery, The Willow Tree, Down by the Sally Gardens, I Know Where I’m Going and The Cuckoo featuring effective soprano solo passages from Erica Paterson.
The choir achieved impressive blend and contrast of tone generally, displaying particular strength in the New Zealand Ka waiata, Pokarekare ana and Hine e Hine with fine soprano solos from Lucy Clough. Three New Zealand folk songs by Richard Oswin demonstrated the choir’s ability to produce robust contrast on command.
Guest choir Otago Boys’ and Girls’ Combined Choir (directed by Ben Madden) also contributed to the programme. Una Noche de Verano, a contemporary work by David Hamilton, featuring a "singing bowl", was a challenging work and some aspects were particularly appealing.
They joined with SYC for a strong emotional performance of He Honere.
For me, the lack of a choir uniform other than tartan scarves was a visual distraction, with white tops of various lengths, black skirts ranging from long to very short and black legs in assorted trousers and tights. There must surely be a sponsor to dress this city choir to match their excellence in performance?
