2012
While waiting for decisions on the future of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, the Cathedral Choir and Orchestra sing a Solemn Choral Mass at 10.30 am each Sunday at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, where they continue to maintain an extensive repertoire of masses and motets. Last year, they travelled to many city parishes, presenting orchestral masses and recitals to appreciative congregations. As a consequence of the recent demolition of the Music Centre, they have also lost rehearsal venues, and storage facilities for their library and assets.
Despite these severe impediments, another local tour is planned for the end of July, and further concerts for choir and orchestra are scheduled for 3 pm, Sunday on both 24 June and 2 September. Their annual performance of Messiah will be 2 pm, Sunday 16 December.
Based now at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Manchester Street, the cathedral musicians maintain an extensive repertoire of masses and motets, sung each Sunday at the 10.30 a.m. Solemn Choral Mass. New members are welcome to the 7.30 pm Wednesday evening rehearsal at Christchurch Boys’ High School. Sight reading ability is expected. Scholarships and awards, worth up to $2000 per year, are available to suitable applicants. Those interested are invited to contact the CBS Musical Director, Don Whelan, phone 358-5873.
Preparations are underway for a sixth international tour, from the end of September till mid-October next year, to include Hong Kong, Beijing, Seoul, Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Kyoto and Tokyo. After four European tours and travel throughout the Americas, the CBS musicians are keen to explore connections with these cities, where local cathedrals have pledged support for our rebuilding efforts, and are offering a receptive welcome for our concerts and Masses. This will be a wonderful opportunity for performers and supporters to experience the special insights and opportunities for sightseeing of a CBS Tour. Those interested should contact the CBS Administrator, Ruth Close, phone 377 4999 - email closeruth@yahoo.co.nz |
