In Tuneful Accord
by Ken Joblin, Jubilate Director
Jubilate is our Diocesan Sacred Music programme and is well established. Indeed, it is in its ninth year. Alongside four regular Christchurch city concerts, bringing together our primary, secondary and parish choirs and instrumentalists, Jubilate visits our regions.
In August, Timaru hosted Jubilate South Canterbury, featuring singers from Sacred Heart Primary and Roncalli College.
St Patrick’s School, Waimate re-joined them this year for an hour of singing in the stunning Sacred Heart Basilica. This church must surely be among the ten most beautiful Catholic churches in New Zealand, both for its classical architecture and gentle, reverberant acoustics. “The concert was a success. We have certainly had positive feedback.” said Debbie Plant, Sacred Heart School Director of Religious Studies. “Many people have said how uplifted they felt after singing and listening to a wonderful variety of music.” said Holy Family Parish choir Director, Carrie Cooper. She went on to say that it is great to see our Diocesan Sacred Music programme “Promoting the depth of our resources of sacred music.”
A little later in August, Jubilate was offered for the Christchurch South and West parishes and their schools. A key feature of the evening was the more recently formed, but already well disciplined choir of St Peter’s School, Beckenham. Under their director, Victoria Panckhurst, a lively African spiritual and an arrangement of Lord of the Dance bookended Cyndi Lauper’s True Colours. All pieces were sung in parts and accompanied by well-known Christchurch pianist, Michael Lawrence. He also provided his own piano bracket. The Jubilate Trio, formed for this concert, offered three pieces for unaccompanied men’s voices: meticulous Gregorian chant and well blended three part motets.
Sarah Lowe is Principal of St Peter’s School. She commented that “Our choir really enjoyed the occasion and it was well worth the effort and preparation.” Victoria Panckhurst directs their choir. She observed “Music is so valuable and it was wonderful to have an evening where it was so obvious to all who attended”.
Two more Christchurch concerts and a Jubilate West Coast will complete this year’s series.
