Photo: Supplied
The Auckland Youth Choir has big plans: with the help of a Creative NZ Arts Grant, an ambitious mentoring and professional development programme is being set up by the choir.
Upbeat spoke with Music Director Rowan Johnston and Choir Manager Sam Nicholson. They explained that as well as having a Young Composer in Residence and mentoring opportunities for budding choral conductors and accompanists, arts administration has not been overlooked, with the forming of a Youth Arts Leadership Programme.
Sam Nicholson Photo: Supplied
Sam, who also sings with the Choir, was appointed as Choir Manager at the beginning of this year as part of the project.
Another important focus of the project is diversity and outreach. Rowan Johnston is concerned that Māori and Pasifika students are under-represented in the Auckland Youth Choir.
“The aim of this year is for us to go to those communities," he says, "and ask them to help us to develop ways of creating an organisation that they feel they want to be part of... We need to start those conversations.”
