The East Coast region comprises 11 choirs and 25 individual members from Napier, Hastings, Havelock North, Waipukurau and Dannevirke.

Committee
Chair: Mark vonDadelszen email: evond@xtra.co.nz
Secretary: Ngaire Shand email: nshand@xtra.co.nz
Minute Secretary: Margaret Percy email: fpercy@xtra.co.nz
Treasurer: Glen Kempshall email: mikeandglen@xtra.co.nz
Committee members: Margery Adcock, Yvonne Hewitt, Kate Holden, Mac Kirkwood, Barbara Morris, Eileen von Dadelszen

News

THE BIG SING 2008

THE BIG SING held on June 11th was another great success for the East Coast Region. 22 choirs from 11 schools took part, which meant over 500 secondary school students were experiencing the pleasures of choral singing. The Adjudicator, Stephen Rowe, was impressed with the well-balanced, disciplined singing, and also with the number of able student conductors. Another pleasing feature this year was the number of all-male choirs especially from co-ed schools.

The von Dadelszen Trophy for the best performance of a composition by a New Zealand composer was awarded to the Woodford House Chapel choir. The Adjudicator's Choice Award, presented by Napier Computer systems, and awarded to the choir who, through their performance and stage presence, provided a personal highlight for the Adjudicator during the Festival, was won by Future Prospect from Havelock North HS - an all-boys' choir. The Director's Award presented by NZCF-East Coast for the Director who, in the opinion of the Adjudicator, best demonstrates the following attributes: clear direction, musicianship, leadership and inspiration, was awarded to Joe Christenson - HOD Music at Karamu HS.
Highly commended awards went to Coro Notabile (Karamu HS), Celtic Heart(Taradale HS), Central Cultural Choir(CHB College), Ionian Singers (Iona), Colla Voce (Havelock North HS), Karamu Singers (Karamu HS), Napier GHS Singers.

Three Commended awards went to student conductors
· Siloma Faioso & Betty Vaiusu from Pacific Pride (Hastings GHS)
· Daniela Young from Woodford House Junior Choir
· Coro Notabile from Karamu HS was invited to attend the Big Sing Finale as a guest choir.
The regional committee wishes to acknowledge and thank Yvonne Hewitt for all her hard work as Big Sing Coordinator for the success of this year's event.

THE KIDS' SING 2008

August 27th was the day for the 4th Kids' sing held by the East Coast Region and this year 520 pupils in 14 choirs from 10 primary and intermediate schools in Hastings and Havelock North took part. All choirs presented the set piece - "It's a lovely day today" by Irving Berlin and two songs of their own choice. The adjudicator was Maria Winder from Auckland. The following awards were made:

Special Awards
Best performance of test piece - Hereworth Chapel Choir
Best Overall Performance - Hereworth Chapel Choir
Adjudicator's Choice - Parkvale School Choir

Gold award
Hereworth Chapel Choir

Silver awards
Iona College, Heretaunga Intermediate Year 7 and Year 8 choirs, Havelock North Intermediate

Bronze awards
Backchat (Maraekakaho Schoo), Academy Singers (Heretaunga Intermediate), Parkvale School Choir, Fantabulous (Maraekakaho school), Hastings Intermediate School choir, Haumoana School choir, St Matthew's open choir, Woodford House Junior choir, Gospel Choir (Heretaunga Intermediate).

This event has continued to grow in the four years it has been held, with a very pleasing rise in the standard of singing as well. The whole day and the concert in the evening ran like clockwork and for this we are indebted to Ngaire Shand and her superb organisation. The local regional committee is very grateful to Ngaire and her helpers for all their hard work. It is to be hoped that we can attract some of the Napier Schools to take part next year.

NATIONAL CHORAL CLINICS 2008

The Conducting Clinic taken by Chris Kiver was held over the weekend 8-10 August and attracted 31 singers and 14 conductors. The informal concert held at the conclusion of the Clinic had approx. 40-50 people in the audience. Feed back from those attending has been very positive, with both singers gaining new skills and and approaches to sight reading and conductors gaining more confidence as their conducting skills increased. One bonus has been the enrolment of 8 new individual members of NZCF. It is hoped that next year a clinic for voices will be held to build on what has begun this year.

Information above has been submitted to us from our members. Please support our members by attending their concerts. If you have any questions about the below events please contact the choir hosting the event rather than NZCF. Whilst we try and keep this list accurate, NZCF accepts no responsibility for incorrect listings.