The Edgecumbe Choir Scholarship Scheme
ARE YOU A YOUNG PERSON WHO LOVES TO SING?
WOULD YOU LIKE TO IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS?
HAVE MORE PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES?
AND BE FINANCIALLY REWARDED?
Background
The Edgecumbe Choir’s objective is to promote the practice and performance of choral and orchestral music.
The choir was formed at Edgecumbe in 1957, but since 2000 has been based in Whakatane, practising on Thursday nights between 7 and 9pm at the Church of St George and St John at 30 Domain Road. Though much of the music the choir sings is religious in origin and the performances are often held in churches, the choir has no religious affiliation.
Members are drawn from around the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
Our vision is to be “A vibrant and inclusive group of singers who enjoy learning a range of choral music to an excellent standard, and performing to a wide and appreciative audience”.
About the Scholarship Scheme
The Edgecumbe Choir Scholarship Scheme started in 2023 under the Musical Directorship of Chalium Poppy, for high school, polytechnic, or university students.
Around the world, choral music has been losing popularity against other forms of easier and instant entertainment, which has had an impact on the number of school-leavers joining community choirs. This enduring music form immerses students in a unique soundscape that can only be experienced from a choir setting. The Edgecumbe Choir Scholarship recipient (hereafter referred to as ‘young scholar’) will have the chance to experience singing and music making in a semi-professional setting with a choir. Our hope is to kindle a passion for choral music and give students a positive, successful, and lasting impression of this beautiful music.
The Benefits
The principle reward or benefit will be the intellectual and musical rewards of studying, rehearsing and performing choral music in the company of competent fellow musicians under the guidance of a qualified conductor. A secondary reward will be financial, the scholarship funds being awarded at the completion of the year.
This is a golden opportunity for good musicians who have fine voices, the commitment to be part of a close-knit team and who wish to develop first class sight-reading skills.
As a young scholar you will:
- Be listed in the programme of the concert(s) in which you perform
- Be provided with a music package for rehearsals and concerts
- Be offered the opportunity for solo work in concert(s) at the invitation of the Musical Director
- Be tutored during vocal workshops for each concert
- Be offered full membership to the Choir upon completion of your scholarship
- Receive $1,000 NZD for your commitment to a full Edgecumbe Choir annual season.
