The Graduate Choir, NZ, one of New Zealand's premier choirs, will be performing in Christchurch on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September 2008. They will be conducted by Director of Music, Terence Maskell.

This versatile Auckland-based mixed-voice choir, known for its rich tone and unique cultural blend of singers, has earned a reputation for the performance of choral music at its finest. Recent reviewer comments have included: "this is one of the very best choirs in New Zealand" and "they redefine the word perfection before your very ears".The Graduate Choir, NZ, one of New Zealand's premier choirs, will be performing in Christchurch on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September 2008. They will be conducted by Director of Music, Terence Maskell.

This versatile Auckland-based mixed-voice choir, known for its rich tone and unique cultural blend of singers, has earned a reputation for the performance of choral music at its finest. Recent reviewer comments have included: "this is one of the very best choirs in New Zealand" and "they redefine the word perfection before your very ears".The Graduate Choir, NZ's visit to Christchurch is hosted by the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Choir and their director, Don Whelan. The two choirs will present a combined recital on the evening of Saturday 27 September, the centrepiece of which will be the Haydn Paukenmesse accompanied by the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Orchestra.

The Graduate Choir, NZ will subsequently present a variety recital on the afternoon of Sunday September 28. This performance will showcase the choir's versatility and will feature mainstream choral repertoire from 16th century to the present day as well as a significant selection of NZ works including the "world premiere" of a newly-commissioned work by David Griffiths - "Does not Wisdom call out?". As is usual with all recitals by The Graduate Choir, NZ, the choir will include some of its lighter repertoire; there will certainly be something to enchant all. This concert tour is supported by Creative New Zealand.

The Graduate Choir, NZ was founded in 2001 by director Terence Maskell who is one of NZ's leading choral conductors. He currently teaches Music and is Organist and Choirmaster at Auckland's King's College and was a Sir Woolf Fisher Fellow in 2001 (an award given for excellence in music education). In 2005 the choir undertook an invitational tour to the UK where all performances were met with high acclaim. As well, the choir has produced two CDs (2005 and 2007) which have also earned generous critical appraisal and featured in the New Zealand classical music top 10 charts as well as receiving airplay on BBC Radio (UK).

The details of the two performances to be given by The Graduate Choir, NZ during their 2008 Christchurch visit are as follows:

The Graduate Choir, NZ and the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Choir and Orchestra present Haydn's Paukenmesse
8:00pm, Saturday 27 September, 2008
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament (Basilica)
Barbadoes St, Christchurch
Tickets $20 or $15 concession, at the door or in advance (ph 03 379 9690)

The Graduate Choir, NZ in Recital
2:00pm, Sunday 28 September, 2008
Chapel of the Music Centre of Christchurch
Barbadoes St, Christchurch
Tickets $20 or $15 concession, at the door or in advance (ph 03 379 9690)

More info: www.graduatechoir.co.nz