The Avondale College Gospel Choir has received two awards and an invitation through to the next level of choral competition, following a superb performance at the Big Sing held in the Auckland Town Hall last week!
The 25-member choir won the Leo Pasifika Award for Best Performance of a Single Work Using a Text in a Pacific Language for their performance of a Gospel medley He Honore/ Ou te vivi’i ia te Oe Te Reo/ Gagana Samoa, which had been arranged by Choir co-Director and alumnus Seumanu Simon Matafai. The piece featured soloist Harmony Timu, as well as performances of poi by Juna Hall and Sylvia Tagaloa-Leniu
The group also was named Runner Up for Performance of a Choral Art Music Composition for their piece Benedictus by Andrea Klouse.
Following on from this success, Gospel Choir Director Mrs Fredda Sorensen was delighted to receive the news that they had been selected to participate in the 'Cadenza' choral festival and competition in Rotorua, alongside choirs from 12 other upper North Island Schools on 16 and 17 August.
"It's a huge achievement," says Mrs Sorensen, "particularly since this year's choir comprises many junior students whose lack of experience is offset by their magnetic enthusiasm. What I love about working with the Gospel Choir is their passion and wairua. They sing with a heart that touches your emotions and with a maturity that belies their age. The choir was rewarded with a standing ovation by a visibly emotive and appreciative audience. One Takapuna Grammar performer cornered me and said he cried all the way through our performance."
"Talent alone is insufficient to move an audience. But combine talent with hard work, heart, and love of what you are singing, and you end up with a performance not to be forgotten by the performers and the audience. Simon's showmanship on the piano also contributed to the overall result and his choir experience proved invaluable in lifting the standard of our performers."
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