Iconic Auckland choral group celebrates 40 years

The Auckland Boys’ Choir is looking forward to a series of musical celebrations in the coming months to mark the group’s 40 years of fostering camaraderie, teamwork and personal development for hundreds of boys aged 8 to 14 years.

Mr Stuart Weightman, the Choir's Director of Music since 2001, who is training the current Choir of 40 boys for a busy 40th year of celebrations, says the Choir has provided boys with opportunity to develop themselves and their singing in a supportive and creative environment.

“The boys have to commit to memory around 40 pieces of music each year. A third of that is sacred music, and is balanced with contemporary and classical secular works,” says Mr Weightman.

The choir was formed in 1970 through collaboration between the Education Department and the Lions’ Club, operating under the leadership of founding Director of Music, Mr Neil Shroff.

Since that time the Boys Choir has toured New Zealand annually providing entertainment in schools and in public concerts from Whangarei to Wanganui. Recent events have included performances with Andre Rieu, Simon O’Neill and the Philharmonic Society Orchestra.

“We have also toured overseas a number of times,” says Mr. Weightman; “However, at present, funding constraints makes this very difficult, but we hope to be in a better position next year to review this.”

Mr Weightman says that many people volunteer their time every year to support the boys throughout the year. He pays special tribute to the Choir’s patrons, Simon O’Neill and New Zealand composer David Hamilton.

“Without the support and dedication of these artists the choir would lack much of its inspiration,” says Mr Weightman.

He adds that the choir is always in search of suitable sponsorship for annual events, and asks for interested parties to contact the Choir Manager Fraser Faulknor on 021 030 9515.

The Choir has a number of performances planned over June, July and August as part of the 40th celebrations:

Saturday, 19 June 7.30pm Concert, St Luke’s Church Remuera
Sunday, 27 June 4.00pm Concert, Knox Church Parnell
Saturday, 31 July 5.30pm 40th Concert, St Peter’s Church Takapuna
Sunday, 8 August, 5.00pm Evensong at St Peter’s Church Takapuna

For more information about the history of the Auckland Boys’ Choir, as well as performance dates and expressions of interest in joining, visit the web site, http://akboyschoir.cfsites.org