A future of song

University of Otago singers Erica Paterson (left), Nathaniel Otley and Rhiannon Cooper rehearse in Marama Hall after being selected for the New Zealand Youth Choir. Absent: Matariki Pakaua and Benedict Tan. Photo by Gregor Richardson.
University of Otago singers Erica Paterson (left), Nathaniel Otley and Rhiannon Cooper rehearse in Marama Hall after being selected for the New Zealand Youth Choir. Absent: Matariki Pakaua and Benedict Tan. Photo by Gregor Richardson.
Squealing with glee is not thought to be good for classical singing voices, but five University of Otago singers made an exception after being selected for the New Zealand Youth Choir this week.

Basses Matariki Pakaua (18) and Nathaniel Otley (19), baritone Benedict Tan (20), and sopranos Rhiannon Cooper (23) and Erica Paterson (19) were delighted with the news, particularly because the choir has been a career launching pad for many high-profile New Zealand singers.

''It's definitely a bouncing board to bigger and better things,'' Mr Otley said.

''If you look through the list of the choir's alumni, there are a whole lot of people who are doing music all over the world in a vast array of disciplines - whether it be performing vocally or teaching at a tertiary academic level.''

Jonathan Lemalu, Anna Leese, Madeleine Pierard, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, and the Sol3Mio trio have all been former members of the choir.

The 2017 choir was selected from auditions held nationwide in November last year.

The present personnel will remain together until 2019, when the choir will mark its 40th anniversary.

Every three years, auditions are held throughout the country to find 50 of the best 18 to 25-year-old singers.

During this year, choir members will undergo intensive workshops, which will culminate in a concert tour with performances in Kapiti, Featherston, Wellington and on Waiheke Is.

''We're looking forward to performing right around New Zealand over the next three years, and doing an international tour at the end of it,'' Mr Otley said.

''In terms of youth choirs, this is the pinnacle.''

Performances in New Zealand and 10 international tours, including visits to the United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, the United States, Australia, Singapore, Russia, the Republic of Korea and China, have established its reputation.

The choir has won many prizes since its inception in 1979, including the Choir of the World title in 1999 at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, in Wales.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz

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