Welcome to the 2016 season of the Scholars Pro Musica (now Scholars Baroque Aotearoa) - Tauranga's premier chamber choir. Last season marked a turning point in the life of the choir as the Scholars, for the first time, tackled two enormous choral masterworks to critical acclaim - the Mozart Requiem and Handel's Messiah. The Scholars marked their fifth year anniversary of music making by appropriately collaborating with two amazing orchestras, Opus Orchestra and NZbAROK.
In their 2016 season the Scholars return to a three concert season. It is an ambitious years as we prepare three well-known and beloved choral masterpieces. It is likewise another year of collaboration as the Scholars continue to create new relationships through working with other choirs and build on our existing relationships.
In our first concert of the season, the Scholars will join with the North Shore Chorale to present Faure's Requiem - a magnificent and powerful piece of music, a work of unsurpassed beauty. There will be performances in both Tauranga and Auckland. This marks the Scholar's first performance outside of Tauranga. The Requiem will be conducted by very dear friend and colleague, Nicholas Forbes, who is the conductor of the North Shore Chorale. He is a brilliant and talented musician; the Scholars will be in very good hands indeed.
For their second concert, the Scholars present Haydn's Creation - perhaps my favourite choral work. I have loved this work since I first heard it as a small boy. It is enchanting, playful, and wonderfully inspired. Papa Haydn at his very best. The Scholars are delighted to once again collaborate with Opus Orchestra in this performance. I will once again be handing direction of the Scholars over to guest conductor, Dr Indra Hughes. This will allow me to sing the role of Adam alongside Soprano Jayne Tankersley, who will be singing the part of Eve.
By popular demand, the Scholars Pro Musica (now Scholars Baroque Aotearoa) are very excited to end their season with another brilliant and energetic performance of Handel's Messiah. Their 2015 performance of the work was an undeniable triumph for the Scholars. This is sure to become an annual event in the life of this choir. Once again the Scholars welcome back NZbAROK - New Zealand's only professional baroque orchestra - and a quartet of very talented baroque soloists to present this seasonal favourite.
2016 is perhaps one of the most exciting seasons for the Scholars yet - three undeniable masterpieces in one year. We look forward to welcoming you to our concerts and, as always, I hope that you will enjoy your musical experience.