Auckland Choral

03/06/2026

We at Auckland Choral get very excited about things like this.....
One of our team is singing up a storm in the UK!
We had a very successful Armed Man performance in NZ, and she's off in the UK doing it again, with the composer himself as the conductor!

Pauline Hoyle Love what you're getting up to.....

She sent us this update: A few pictures from the Karl Jenkins concert at the Royal Festival Hall with the London Concert players ( session band with members of the Royal Philharmonia) soloist Kathryn Rudge and Crouch End Festival Chorus conducted by Sir Karl.

It was a sweltering hot day (28C) as was the rehearsal the night before but the aircon helped. We had two rehearsals for the concert ( the choir knows the repertoire) and one on the day. The programme included 9 pieces from his Requiem, Palladio, and Adiemus in the first half and the Armed Man in the second half.

It was a packed RFH and the audience were incredibly attentive and moved by the performance. A very special concert with a 82 year old Sir Karl at the helm.

Magic! Music moves us, no matter where we are!

23/05/2026

We're really looking forward to being part of this spectacular event!

18/05/2026

Behind every performance like A Call for Peace are hundreds of hours of rehearsals, preparation, conversations, nerves, teamwork, and people coming together through music.

Looking back on last month's performance of Karl Jenkins' The Armed Man, we’ve been so moved not only by the audience response, but by the sense of connection shared between choir, band, soloists, conductor, backstage volunteers, and audience alike.

One audience member wrote:
“I’m not a music expert but tonight was an experience my husband and I will never forget.”

Another said:
“The singing penetrated my being… I was moved to tears.”

And perhaps one of our favourite comments:
“I didn’t know what to expect, but I really was blown away.”

These photos from rehearsals and backstage capture some of the human side of the performance – moments of concentration, friendship, commitment, exhaustion, laughter, and collective purpose. We’re incredibly proud of everyone involved in bringing this ambitious and deeply emotional programme to life.

A heartfelt thank you once again to Auckland City Brass Band, our soloists Madeleine Pierard and Faamanu Fonoti-Fuimaono, conductor Uwe Grodd, everyone behind the scenes at Auckland Live, and all those who joined us at the Auckland Town Hall.

We’d love to see you again at our next event: OPERA GALA 2026 with Auckland Opera Studio and Manukau Symphony Orchestra on Sunday 28 June at 5.00pm at the Town Hall – an evening of famous choruses, operatic favourites, and outstanding young New Zealand soloists.

Buy tickets here: https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/the-auckland-opera-studio-2026-opera-gala-auckland-28-06-2026/event/24006463BDB03580

12/05/2026

Celebrating one of our own!
Beverley Maul-Rogers.... Life Member!

In amongst all of our amazing music making, at our AGM last week the Choir and Management Committee were very pleased to award Bev, Life Membership of Auckland Choral Society.

Bev joined the choir in 2006, and was a member for 16 years.
She was a member of the Management Committee for nearly 10 years being both Deputy Chair and then Chair for 6 of those years.

She was used to working in the business/council event management role and brought her experience from this to the choir with a very business-like attitude.

We were grateful for her council connections for the Town Hall Centenary Concert (2011), and the gifting of Tūi Tūi Tuituiā, part of our logo because of her association with a Kaumatua.

What a pleasure it was for the choir to recognise her contribution, professionalism, competencies and great attitude in her time helping to make the choir the on-going success that it is.

Below:
Bev with President, David Hamilton
Bev with current Chair, Olive Leddy, and David Hamilton
Bev with Music Director, Uwe Grodd

Congratulations Bev!

09/05/2026

Following the performance, our baritone soloist Faamanu Fonoti-Fuimaono described the concert as “one of my favourites to date” and “something I will keep in my heart for a very long time”.

He also reflected on the second half performance of The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace as “easily one of my favourite live performances I have ever seen – extremely moving and so precise and thoughtful”.

We are especially excited that Faamanu will begin postgraduate studies at London's Royal College of Music in September, and we wish him every success for this exciting next chapter!

You can also hear more from Faamanu in this recent RNZ interview:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/anzacday/audio/2019032597/the-talented-faamanu-fonoti-fuimaono

We’re so grateful to Faamanu, all our performers and collaborators, and everyone who joined us at Auckland Town Hall for this memorable and powerful afternoon of music.

To find out more about Auckland Choral's next concerts, visit www.aucklandchoral.com

06/05/2026

One of the most rewarding things after a concert is hearing how the experience resonated with those involved – both on stage and in the audience.

Following our performance of A Call for Peace, our soprano soloist Madeleine Pierard reflected on balancing performance with her role at Te Pae Kōkako – The Aotearoa New Zealand Opera Studio:

“The busyness of my role at TANZOS sometimes makes me forget my joy and sense of responsibility in performing and it was such an important concert to be part of.”

Our Artistic Director Uwe Grodd praised Madeleine’s “outstanding voice”, stage presence, and “clear diction and projection” following the performance.

We’re so grateful to Madeleine, all our performers and collaborators, and everyone who joined us at Auckland Town Hall for this memorable afternoon of music.

Live

To find out more about Auckland Choral's other 2026 concerts, visit www.aucklandchoral.com
You can also explore more of Madeleine’s work at www.madeleinepierard.com

27/04/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Auckland Town Hall for A Call for Peace on Monday.

It was a powerful and deeply moving afternoon, and we’re so grateful to have shared it with such a thoughtful and engaged audience.

We’ve been incredibly touched by the messages we’ve received since the concert – from “I didn’t know what to expect, but I was blown away” to “a truly memorable performance” and “emotionally charged… spine-chilling.” Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.

A huge thank you to our wonderful collaborators Auckland City Brass Band and their conductor Mark Close, our outstanding soloists Faamanu Fonoti-Fuimaono and Madeleine Pierard , and our Artistic Director Uwe Grodd for bringing this programme to life.

From Karl Jenkins' 'The Armed Man' to David Hamilton's 'A Call to Arms' and Fendall Hill's 'Perspectives from Gallipoli', it was a privilege to explore music that reflects so powerfully on conflict and peace.

Thank you again for supporting Auckland Choral. We hope to see you at our other concerts this year - visit www.aucklandchoral.com to find out more!

Photography credit: Sav Schulman, Sav's Photography, www.savsphotography.co.nz

26/04/2026

We had a fantastic rehearsal at New Zealand Opera Studios this afternoon for our 'A Call for Peace' concert, with Auckland City Brass Band and our wonderful soloists Faamanu Fonoti-Fuimaono and Madeleine Pierard, conducted by Uwe Grodd. The concert includes Karl Jenkins' 'The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace' as well as works by David Hamilton and Fendall Hill.

All set for Auckland Town Hall tomorrow (Monday 27 April) at 4.00pm – we can't wait to share this powerful programme with you!

🎟 It’s not too late to book – don’t miss it: Tickets available from https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/auckland-choral-tickets/artist/1956464 or there will be box office sales on the day. Live Hill Jenkins Hamilton

⚠️ Please note: The Armed Man performance includes video footage depicting graphic wartime material. It is not recommended for children under 12. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

16/12/2025

What a weekend of music!
Our Messiah performances at the Auckland Town Hall were a wonderful way to close the season – thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make it such a special experience.

William Dart’s review in the NZ Herald is available here:
👉

REVIEW: Conductor Uwe Grodd hailed the work as art that ‘binds us together’.

14/12/2025

What a night!
Fantastic performance of Handel's Messiah last night in a sold-out Auckland Town Hall – thank you so much for your incredible support.

Here are a selection of photos from the performance for you to enjoy (photographer - Bruce Crossan).

🎟️ There are still tickets available for tonight’s performance, and a reminder that we’re starting at 7.00pm this evening (earlier than in previous years!).
👉 Book now: https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/auckland-choral-tickets/artist/1956464