A special showcase of an original song is set to be the feature of an upcoming St Mary’s Anglican Church Lunchtime Concert Series performance next week.
The Waimataitai School Choir, under the direction of Tamara Hogg, will be performing 13 songs, including a composition of Cee Bee Teatime creator Charlotte Talbot’s original song Up and Down Aotearoa New Zealand.
In a statement Mrs Talbot, a South Canterbury-based preschool music and movement teacher, who also releases songs under the name Cee Bee Teatime said it would be the first time her music would be performed in public by someone other than her.
‘‘The song began life as an ‘up and down’ parachute song for my Cee Bee Teatime preschool music and movement sessions.
‘‘However it has grown into a sort of national anthem for New Zealand primary school students to sing and explores the concepts of up and down in both special and geographical senses, with a chorus about ‘my Hokey Pokey ice cream’.
‘‘Performed with some actions, it was clear to me at a rehearsal that the children are enjoying singing it.’’
Mrs Hogg said she was thrilled to be collaborating with Mrs Talbot and saw her as South Canterbury’s own Suzie Cato after the successful launch of Cee Bee Teatime.
She said it was her third year directing the Waimataitai Choir and they had been rehearsing all year for the upcoming lunchtime series concert.
‘‘They perform everything off by heart. The concert features full choir numbers with harmony and layering, as well as featured solo work by some very talented singers.
‘‘The genre ranges from contemporary pop, Māori to musical theatre and of course includes Charlotte Talbot’s own composition which we have had fun learning, with the students’ input taken in suggesting actions to help tell the story.
‘‘The choir has 37 current members from year 4 to year 8, who meet for an hour and a half once a week. It’s a full-year commitment with auditions held at the start of each year.’’
Earlier this year they were the lead choir for the Release the Music Charitable Trust Song Festival held at the Life Church in Timaru.
The concert will be held at the church on Friday November 14 at 12.15pm.
Entry is a koha donation towards St Mary’s. — Allied Media
