New Zealand Association of Male Choirs

Tours of New Zealand by Overseas Choirs

From Wales, the world-famous Morriston Orpheus Choir, which has had over 500 concert appearances and 25 recorded albums, visited New Zealand on a two week tour.

"From all reports the tour of NZ in August by the Moriston Orpheus Choir was a great success, certainly in Auckland and Christchurch."

International Festivals and Competitions

There are a number of organisations which present Festivals and Competitions for choirs that are of international interest. Some Festivals may allow or even encourage participation by other visiting choirs.

The following list outlines several choral events of particular interest to Male Voice Choirs, such as Association members. It is not complete, but is expected to be accurate. Additions and corrections would be welcome, and should be directed to the Secretary (see address at the bottom of this page).

Convivial Wine Song Festivals These Festivals are organised each year in late September, by the Bartok Bela Male Choir of the Pecs Pannon Volan Rt in Hungary. The Choral aspect of the Festivals is exclusively for male voice choirs, and the Festivals focus on wine, grapes and singing. Accommodation and food is provided for participating choirs. For further details, contact: Lakner, Tamas (Artistic Director), Bartok Bela Male Choir, H-7632 Pecs, Abaligeti Ut 19, Hungary. or email to C. Szalai, Agnes (Editor & Manager)

Florilege Vocal De Tours This is an international choral competition organised each year (eg 10 June 2000) in Tours, France. Applications close previous November. There are several separate classes for choirs in the competition, with prizes from FF2,000 to FF16,000 depending on class and standard. There is a specific category for single voice choirs (ie male or female) of 10 to 30 voices. For further details, contact: Florilege Vocal De Tours, Hotel De Ville, Rue Des Minimes, B.P. 1452, 37014 Tours Cedex 1, France.

Big Sings Members of the Association of Male Choirs of America join together periodically for social and competitive events they call Big Sings. These are equivalent to the New Zealand Festivals, but prepared either by District of the AMCA or collectively ("International Big Sings"). These events take place usually annually in each District, and more details may be obtained from the Web Page of AMCA Big Sings. The Big Sings are prepared over the 5 years prior to being staged, and normally do not allow for visiting choir participation. However if a visiting choir were interested in participation, contact should be made with the host choir.

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New Zealand Association of Male Choirs

The New Zealand Association of Male Choirs is an informal body formed by the principal male voice choirs of New Zealand. The major function of the Association is the exercising of oversight of the triennial combined Festivals, (see 2001 New Zealand Festival of Male Choirs) where the choirs meet socially and sing together.

The Association also provides an opportunity for co-ordinating the activities of the male choirs, including overseas visits by choirs and visits to New Zealand by overseas choirs. Any choirs who wish to enquire about a visit to New Zealand may write to:

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Association Member Choirs
The choirs joined together in the Association are:

Christchurch Liedertafel Choir (Christchurch City, Founded 1885) email John Robinson write: Peter Law, Hon Secretary, 227B Centaurus St, St Martins, Christchurch

Garden City Male Voice Choir (Christchurch City, Founded 1946) email Derek Brown write: Derek Brown, Hon Secretary, 13 Mountain View Place, Leeston 8151, Christchurch

Nelson Male Voice Choir (Nelson City, Founded 1932) email the President: Brian Neill write: Stu Milne, Hon Secretary, 89 Tosswill Rd, Nelson

Royal Dunedin Male Choir (Dunedin City, Founded 1886) email dwwood@es.co.nz write: David W Wood, Hon Secretary, 1 Murano St, Waverley, Dunedin

Wellington Male Voice Choir (Wellington City, (Founded 1960) email Ewan Stewart write: Ewan Stewart, Hon Secretary, PO Box 51-161, Tawa, Wellington

Wanganui Male Choir (Wanganui City, Founded 1898) email Rod Davies write: Rod G Davies, Hon Secretary, 8 Stafford St., Wanganui, phone/fax (06) 344 3021

Cantamus Mens Choir (Hamilton City, Founded 1995) email Mike Martin, write Bill Ogston, Hon Secretary, 66 Ascot Ave, Hamilton

Waitakere City Men's Choir (Auckland City, Founded 1961) email Andrew Fogg, write: PO box 83-189 Edmonton Road Henderson Auckland, phone 09 838-8384

North Shore Male Choir (Auckland City, Founded 1971) email the Conductor: John Wilmott write: David Johnston, Hon Secretary, PO Box 34-013, Birkenhead, Auckland

Associated New Zealand Male Choirs are: Dunedin RSA Choir (Dunedin City, Founded 1915) email David More David More, Hon Secretary, 26 Spiers Rd, Halfway Bush, Dunedin

The current officers of the Association are: Secretary: Peter Law Committee Members: Allan Todd, (a representative from Cantamus Mens Choir has yet to be named) c/- 227B Centaurus Rd, St Martins, Christchurch New Zealand

Links:

New Zealand information and picture tour

	2001 New Zealand Festival of Male Choirs		Wellington Male Voice Choir (and other links)
	Associated Male Choruses of America		Intercollegiate Mens Choruses (America)

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Prepared by Andrew Earl