Another page was turned in the musical career of leading Dunedin musical director George Chittenden with a performance of American choral music by the Southern Youth Choir last night.
Mr Chittenden, who is also one of the city's top organists, has been director of music and organist at St Paul's Cathedral for the past five years, and organist of the Ross Chapel Knox Church.
He will leave his posts on July 31 to take up a position as organist at Sankta Maria Kyrka (St Mary's Church), in Helsingborg, Sweden, one of the world's top organist jobs.
In Dunedin, he has also served in several other musical roles, including as musical director of the Southern Youth Choir, and as a part-time history tutor at the University of Otago.
It is understood that last night was the youth choir's last performance under his musical direction, with "Simple Gifts'', an offering of American choral music.
Mr Chittenden said yesterday he was "very excited'' about the opportunities ahead, but has said he was "sad'' to be leaving Dunedin.
Membership of the Southern Youth Choir was "fairly fluid'' with some young student members arriving and departing over the years, but he had enjoyed his time with the choir.
"It's always been exciting work,'' he said.
