Mrs Kennelly will join up to 80 of her fellow choir members in performing the work on November 25, under the baton of choir director David Burchell, with the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra and soloists.
Mrs Kennelly has taken great joy in music from a young age, growing up as part of a very musical family. She enjoyed singing, taking singing lessons from the age of 8 with her first teacher, Florence Sumner — her godmother.
As a pupil at Otago Girls’ High School, the then Clare Millow was an enthusiastic member of the school’s Special Choir, followed by singing with the Senior Madrigal Group at King Edward Technical College, then conducted by W.H. Waldon-Mills.
In 1958, she finished her secondary school education at King Edward Tech Commercial College.
Her then singing teacher, Mary Pratt, encouraged her to join the Dunedin Choral Society, which was later to be renamed City Choir Dunedin.
She joined in 1959, when the choir was being conducted by Prof Peter Platt, and has maintained a consistent membership ever since — only taking time out to raise a family.
The choir celebrated its centennial year in 1963, with a huge year featuring seven major symphonic concerts, ending with a performance of the Messiah.
This was "a triumphant end to an extraordinary year", as Jenny Burchell wrote in her history of the choir — The Life & Times of a Choral Society, and Mrs Kennelly was recorded among the altos.
"No matter how many times I perform in the Messiah, I never tire of singing the beautiful choruses, and there are plenty to sing," Mrs Kennelly said.
"I love singing such meaningful works. It is very special to me, and something I will always treasure."
At this month’s performance, Mrs Kennelly will have completed 35 years of choir membership, serving as a committee member and librarian for many years. Her service has been recognised with a life membership.
City Choir Dunedin will perform Handel’s Messiah on Saturday, November 25, from 7.30pm at Dunedin Town Hall, under the baton of choir director David Burchell, and accompanied by the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra. Soloists Elizabeth Mandeno, Maaike Christie-Beekman, Lachlan Craig and Wade Kernot will sing the leading roles.
By Ruth Taylor and Brenda Harwood
