Listen

The following samples represent the variety of the choirs’ repertoire.

New Zealand

“Whakarongo Ake Au” by John Tapiata Whakarongo Ake Au

“O Spirit of the Earth” from A New Sky (2009) by Philip Norman  O spirit of the earth

 “Te Aroha” arrangement by Sylvia Watson Te Aroha

Sacred

“Sanctus” from Opus 172 Messe by Josef Rheinberger  Sanctus

“Wade in the Water” traditional spiritual Arr. Mark Hayes Wade in the Water

Secular

“Carrickfergus” a traditional folk song arranged by Gwyn Arch  Carrickfergus

“For the Fallen” by Mike Sammes  For the fallen

“Away from the Roll of the Sea” by  Allister MacGillivray  Away from the Roll of the Sea

The Choir received a request from Beverly MacGillivray wife of the composer of this much loved and long favourite pieces of repertoire “Away from the Roll of the Sea”.  Beverly had noted that the Choir had done a CD and requested an MP3 version, explaining her husband liked to have a collection of world choirs singing his music.  

We were able to get an MP3 version for her and her response was “it’s a lovely version, and Allister would be pleased to add it to his collection of “covers” of his songs from around the world”.

Beverly went on to explain that, growing up, his hometown of Glace Bay on Cape Breton Island was a mixture of coalfields and sword fishing grounds. He wrote the song at the request of a photographer who had taken a beautiful picture of Glace Bay Harbour, with all the boats at rest following a day of fishing on the wild Atlantic Ocean.

She thanked the men of the NZMC and Music Director for their support of her husband’s choral music.

Te Roopu Waiata Tira Tāne O Aotearoa