History
(The following excerpts are from All We Like Sheep, A 50 Year History of the Edgecumbe Choir by Pam Greenhalgh)
1940's St Davids Presbyterian Church in Edgecumbe had a small 8 member choir for its weekly services. This was lead by Mrs Kath Armstrong, a musician of international standing who, during the war years, entertained the troops. When she died in 1976 her family sent the choir a letter which said, "If she was still alive she would have been delighted that her old choir was still going so well."
With her position left vacant a church member, Mr Gordon Reeves, tried to find someone to keep the small choir going. A young share milker had just arrived in the district with a musical background and he was asked to take it on. This was Ken MacDonald. He accepted on the understanding that it would be temporary until someone else was found. And it was temporary for the next 30 years.
1957 the Edgecumbe Choir was officially formed. This new choir still sang religious music, but it was not affiliated to any religion or denomination. Ken MacDonald built the choir up attracting members from all over the Eastern Bay. In 1985 the choir was of sufficient stature to be invited to join other choirs in Papakura, Napier and in Auckland Town Hall. Ken retired in 1987, after conducting the choir for nearly thirty years, a record which his successors will find hard to equal.
1987 - For some years after singing in the contralto section Valerie Milne became assistant conductor. When Ken retired in 1987 the baton was hers and for ten years she made and left her mark. With her strong Scots background she brought her own style to the position and became a much loved and respected conductor. One highlight was the choir's participation in the opening concert at Auckland's Aotea Centre in September 1990. Valerie worked hard to enhance the choir's reputation, and the choir still easily
attracts excellent soloists and accompanists from around NZ and from
abroad. Valerie died in 1997 - this was a sad blow to the choir.
From 1997 - 2002 the choir enjoyed the services of various guest conductors
including Rita Paczian. These conductors presented a varied repertoire and
the choir learned from their knowledge and conducting styles.
In 2002 the baton was given to Tony Hogg.
Starting out as a boy soprano in the Dilworth School Chapel Choir he came through the ranks in both choral and musical theatre scenes in Hamilton and Masterton. The choir enjoyed varied musical challenges with Tony until he retired in 2019.
There were further challenges in store as the baton passed to Chalium Poppy from Tauranga.
2019 Chalium Poppy came with impressive international and national recognition as a professional church musician, conductor, oratorio
soloist, occasional operatic singer, music commentator, clinician and teacher Chalium has brought a fresh look to the choir.
He has received national accolades and recognition of
his commitment to musical excellence and in particular
for his exploration of lesser-known choral works.
In 2010 he received a commendation from the French Consulate to New Zealand for his efforts in championing the music of the French Baroque which is his specilaised style.
This lists most choir concerts over the years
September 2024 - Creation, F.J.Haydn
May 2024 - Gabriel Faure, Requiem & Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Le Reniement De Saint Pierre (The Denial of St Peter)
December 2023 - G.F. Handel's Messiah
September 2023 - J.S.Bach Magnificat and F.J. Haydn Mass in G Major, The St Nicholas Mass
June 2023 - Haydn's Seven Last Words of Our Saviour on the Cross & Mozart Mass in C Major K220
August 2021- The Mikado
May 2021- Music Of The German Romantic
December 2020 - A European Christmas
September 2020 - The Pirates Of Penzance
November 2019 - Follow The Star
September 2019 - From Darkness To Light
May 2019 - Gloria
December 2018 - Crackers For Christmas
June 2018 - Haydn & Friends
December 2017 - Messiah
June 2017 - Diamonds
November 2016 - White Nights
September 2016 - Pop To Pageantry
May 2016 - Magnificat & Te Deum
November 2015 - Bach To Bowie
April 2015 - The Armed Man
December 2014 - Glad Tidings
September 2014 - The Edge Factor
May 2014 - Mozart's 'Requiem Mass'
December 2013 - Christmas Joy
September 2013 - Pops From The Edge
June 2013 - Whakatane Baptist Church's Variety Show of 100 Stars. Choir members sang 3 songs (Ga Gona Ya Tswanang Le Jesu, Steal Away and Hallelujah).
April 2013 – NZCF Bay of Plenty region weekend music school (in Rotorua).
April 2013 – Haydn's Creation - performed with Warkworth's Kowhai Singers and Orewa's Pohukutawa Singers. We sang this initially in Warkworth & subsequently in Whakatane.
December 2012 – Theatre Whakatane's Variety Concert. Some choir members sang 2 songs (Steal Away and Hallelujah) and joined with the chorus for some other pieces.
December 2012 – Christmas Parade. More carol singing for some!
December 2012 – Summer Carols
September 2012 – NZCF Bay of Plenty region choral workshop: Next Steps in Choral Learning (in Rotorua)
August 2012 – Around the World in 80 Minutes
April 2012 – Handel's Messiah
April 2012 – NZCF Bay of Plenty region weekend music school (in Rotorua)
April 2012 – Quota Club fashion parade - fundraising event
December 2011 – Christmas Wonder
September 2011 – Spring Gloria Spring
April 2011 – NZCF Bay of Plenty region weekend music school (in Tauranga)
April 2011 – Jenkins’ The Armed Man – A Mass for Peace
December 2010 – Christmas Fantasia
June 2010 – Marvellous Mozart
December 2009 – Christmas Presence
November 2009 – Sing Aotearoa (in Rotorua)
September 2009 – Handel Pop
May 2009 – Stepping Out
December 2008 – Christmas in the Park
September 2008 – Handel’s Solomon – with Gisborne Choral Society
May 2008 – Proms
March 2008 – Three Mezzos
December 2007 – Peace & Praise: Andrew Baldwin’s Jubilate Deo & Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man – A Mass for Peace
October 2007 – Handel’s Messiah sing-in
June 2007 – Memories
December 2006 – Christmas Fantasia
July 2006 – Opera Plus
April 2006 – Combined Whakatane & Kawerau Rotary Clubs in aid of Project Hope
February 2006 – NZCF Bay of Plenty region workshop for combined choirs
December 2005 – Christmas in the Park
December 2005 – Christmas Cheer
November 2005 – Visit of the Silver Ring Choir of Bath, England
May 2005 – Vivaldi & Haydn
August 2005 – A Night at the Proms
May 2005 – Vivaldi & Haydn
February 2005 – Singing Together workshop with James Tibbles of the University of Auckland
December 2004 – Christmas Parade
September 2004 – Animal Antics
September 2004 – Winner of the Arts Section of the Whakatane District AAA Awards
May 2004 – Handel’s Messiah
March 2004 – Recording for Praise Be (TVNZ programme)
December 2003 - A Night at the Proms
October 2003 - Workshop with English choral conductor, Janet Lincé.
August 2003 – Music reading course with Gillian Chapman.
June 2003 - Let’s Magnify
February 2003 - Singing workshop for men Beyond the Bathroom with John Rosser of
November / December 2002 - Christmas Crackers
July 2002 - Mendelssohn’s Elijah
February 2002 – Workshop with choral director Mike Brewer
February 2002 – Lions District 2021 Convention
November 2001 – Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors - the choir provided the chorus for this one act opera
September 2001 - With Spirit! – followed a training weekend with Rita Paczian
June/July 2001 - Classic Gems
January 2001 - Sian & Friends - benefit concert for local singer
December 2000 - Christmas Parade
September & October 2000 – Haydn’s The Creation - NZ Choral Federation Bay of Plenty Region Millennium Concerts (performed in Whakatane, Taupo, Rotorua & Tauranga)
June 2000 – Desire Now & Then
October 1999 – St Nicholas Plus
July 1999 – Gloria
April 1999 – Multiple District 202 Lions Convention
October 1998 – Summer is A-Coming In
June 1998 – Winter Concert
December 1997 – Valerie’s “Send Off” – funeral of Valerie Milne
October 1997 – Edgecumbe Choir 40 Years
December 1996 – Christmas Cheer
September 1996 – Spring Concert
May 1996 – A Feast of Opera
April 1996 – Schubert Serenade
December 1995 – Carols at St David’s
September 1995 – Sing Joyfully
May 1995 – The Magic of Mozart
October 1994 – Sounds Glorious
June 1994 – Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle
December 1993 – Round About Christmas
August 1993 – Haydn’s Nelson Mass
May 1993 – Mendelssohn’s Elijah
November 1992 – A Summer Concert
October 1992 – Thanksgiving Service
August 1992 – Handel’s Messiah – 250 years
May 1992 – English Church Music
November 1991 – The Magic of Mozart
April 1991 – John Rutter’s Requiem
December 1990 – Seven Lessons & Carols
December 1990 – Music for Festive Season
September 1990 – Aotea Centre opening (Auckland)
July 1990 – Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado
April 1990 – Easter Celebration
December 1989 – Programme of Christmas Music
December 1989 – Local Artists’ Concert
August 1989 – The Magnificent Mr Handel
November 1988 – Malvina Major
October 1988 – October Concert
June 1988 – Serenade to Music
October 1987 – Handel’s Messiah
May 1987 – 30th Anniversary Concert
December 1986 – A Benefit Christmas Concert to raise funds for the Manse
September 1986 – Spring Concert
June 1986 – Mozart
October 1985 – Handel’s Israel in Egypt – 300th anniversary (performed twice, in Napier & Auckland)
June 1985 – Mid Winter Concert (performed twice in Whakatane & twice in Papakura)
December 1984 – Seven Lessons & Carols
October 1984 – Festival of Flowers & Music
June 1984 – Brahms’ German Requiem
April 1984 – Presbyterian Church General Assembly
December 1983 – A Concert of Christmas Music
November 1983 – Local Artists’ Concert
August 1983 – A Concert of Hymns
April 1983 – Handel’s Messiah
February 1983 – Dedication of Titoki Healing Centre
December 1982 – Light Music & Christmas Carols
July 1982 – Mendelssohn’s Elijah (performed twice, in Whakatane & Tauranga)
June 1982 – The Central Band of the RNZAF
July 1981 – Cantata
July 1980 – Mozart’s Requiem
December 1979 – A Service of Christmas Carols
November 1979 – Festival of Flowers & Music
August 1978 – Cantata
April 1978 – Handel’s Messiah
December 1977 – Brahms’ German Requiem (performed twice, in Whakatane & Edgecumbe)
December 1976 – Cantata
September 1976 – Spring Festival (performed twice, in Edgecumbe & Kawerau)
May 1976 – Fauré’s Requiem (performed twice, in Edgecumbe & Tauranga)
December 1975 – Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols (performed twice, in Edgecumbe & Whakatane)
December 1975 – Festival of Christmas Music (performed in Whakatane)
April 1975 – Handel’s Messiah
October 1974 – Spring Festival
April 1974 – Stainer’s The Crucifixion (performed twice, in Edgecumbe & Opotiki)
December 1973 – Nine Lessons & Carols
December 1972 – Handel’s Messiah (performed 3 times, in Whakatane, Edgecumbe & Opotiki)
April 1971 – Stainer’s The Crucifixion
December 1970 – Thiman’s The Nativity
April 1970 – Handel’s Messiah
December 1969 – Christmas Music
April 1969 - Maunder’s Olivet to Calvary
December 1968 - Thiman’s The Nativity