Musical Direction

The choir contracts a musical director on an annual basis to provide leadership and technical assistance to the choir. Currently our leader is Helen Charlton.

Helen is a Christchurch based singing teacher, conductor and performer. Helen completed her Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Canterbury, majoring in performance singing. As well as the Global Voices, Helen conducts the Christchurch Youth Choir, Mosaic and several high school choirs.

Rehearsals

Practices are held in the St Marks Church Hall, Vincent Terrace, Opawa on Wednesday night 7.30 - 9.30 pm during school term time.

These sessions are usually a combination of vocal warm-ups and exercises followed by learning and polishing our repertoire. There may be occasions (for example before a performance) when extra rehearsals are required. Subscription is $50 per term. Prospective members pay $5 per session until they are auditioned.

Performances

Global Voices performs several times a year. A favourite haunt is the Great Hall in the Arts Centre, a beautiful acoustic space. The choir usually have a sold-out candlelit performance here mid winter, to warm the souls of their dedicated followers!

For a different type of atmosphere, the choir also performs at The Harbourlight Theatre in Lyttleton and occasionally The Folk Club. In the warmer months you can sometimes find them singing outdoors in one of the quads at the Arts Centre. In 2005 Global were invited to sing at the prestigious Koru Care Charity Auction at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, and they have performed at a number of weddings!

The choir also performs when asked at events promoting a cause that is in keeping with the group's philosophies. For example, World Peace.

History

The Christchurch Global Choir was formed in 1995 after a small group of singers, including founding members Nikki Berry and Lee Lawrence attended a workshop led by Stephen Taberner. Riding the wave of exuberance created by Stephen's dynamic teaching style, The Global Choir was formed, with members taking turns to conduct and Stephen visiting regularly to provide mentoring and new material. In time, Nikki and Lee both went on to form their own choirs and The Global Choir contracted its first Musical Director. Simon De Jong led the group from 1999 until 2002, when he left after accepting a teaching position in the UK.

The choir, by now an Incorporated Society, set up a committee to hunt for a new Musical Director. In the interim, talented choir member – Debbie Carter stepped up to lead the choir through this difficult period. In late 2002 Helen Charlton was appointed as Musical Director. In 2007 The Global Choir decided to change its name to Global Voices, to coincide with the launch of its first professionally recorded and produced CD ‘ Global Voices – The Global Choir ten years on’. Currently the group has around 35 members.