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In 1984, following a combined Wellsford Warkworth performance of Haydn’s Creation conducted by Maurice Gorbey, Basil Kirker decided to call a meeting in Warkworth to gauge support for a community choir.
The suggestion was that a carol concert might be held that Christmas.
About 30 people showed interest and, under Basil’s direction, they started rehearsals for the carol concert, which was performed in the Methodist Church hall on December 15. It was a great success and drew a large audience, standing room only.
John Cavender, from Wellsford, was the compere and a children’s choir from Leigh Primary School also participated, setting a pattern of children’s choir participation for many years thereafter.
The following year, the choir members joined singers from Wellsford and Orewa to perform Mendelssohn’s Elijah directed by David Lacey, with Basil acting as assistant director. This group performed four times with great success. Jennifer Kirker and Beverley Hicks were among a group of soloists for these performances. Such was the enthusiasm that Basil Kirker decided to formalise the choir. A small support committee was formed and what was to become Kowhai Singers was born.
Basil continued to conduct Kowhai Singers until the end of 1994. The choir tackled major works such as Handel’s Messiah along with mixed concerts of smaller works and the Christmas carol concert. From the Christmas concert, moneys raised were always given to a chosen charity.
In 1995, Peter Cammell took over directorship of the choir, conducting three concerts a year until his retirement in 2017 following a performance of Handel’s Messiah in Warkworth Town Hall. During this period, the choir experimented with many genres and themes, and became proficient in singing unaccompanied.
The traditional Christmas concert continued to be a feature. The great choral standards were interspersed with mixed concerts often of a lighter nature. Choir membership fluctuated throughout this period ranging between 20 and 45, but the concept of an unauditioned all-comers community choir continued.
Both these directors were keen to take the choir out into the community and small groups sang in the street at Christmas, in retirement homes and under Basil Kirker, they also sang several choral Evensong services at the Anglican church.
Resident accompanists have always been difficult to procure but the choir was well blessed with accompanists such as Moira Atkinson and Joye Reeves for many years. Riette Fierrera was the last long-term accompanist while many others have assisted throughout the choir’s history.
Two concerts under Sola Tuo, five under Amy Cottingham, who had the burden of the covid period to contend with, and one with Susan Hayday as acting director, bring us to the present and the directorship of Ken Leech, who has now directed the choir for four concerts.
Ken says his vision for the Kowhai Singers is to provide the people of Warkworth and it’s the surrounding area with the opportunity to sing and perform the best choral music available at the highest possible standard.
Contributed by Bev Hicks
Singers celebrate 40 years
Warkworth’s resident choir Kowhai Singers will mark a milestone this month when it celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Former members and supporters are invited to join current choir members at an afternoon tea celebration at the Methodist Church Hall on Saturday August 10, starting at 3pm. The cost to cover expenses is $15.
The gathering will be an opportunity to celebrate and share memories.
Rehearsals for the 40th anniversary carol concerts start on September 2 at the Methodist Church Hall, with performances on November 30, at Warkworth Town Hall, and December 1, at Leigh Community Hall.
The choir will perform three concerts next year and new members are always welcome.
