Two Chch singers in Mobil’s last 12

Press, 13 May 1987, Page 22

Two Chch singers in Mobil’s last 12

The pieces are falling ing career. into place for Teddy The 20-year-old bass is Rhodes as he decides on still not sure whether his whether to follow a sing- future will be in music.

He. only began formal singing lessons about 18 months ago, after “dabbling” in singing as a youngster. “I sang in choirs at school but during 1985 singing grew on me and I started lessons with Mary Adams Taylor.” Since then he has won last year’s Dame Sister Mary Leo Scholarship and been chosen among the 12 semi-finalists for the Mobil Song Quest this year from more than 100 singers. Everything is right on schedule — ahead even — for a singing career. The 20-year-old university student is still undecided however.

"I am really still thinking about it and deciding what to do.” In the meantime he is finishing a commerce degree at the University of Canterbury and fitting in as many singing engagements as he can. “I have only done two concerts since winning the scholarship.”

Christchurch has two representatives among the 12 semi-finalists in the prestigious Mobil Song Quest. KAY FORRESTER talks to TEDDY RHODES and SARAH BELL about their hopes for the contest and their careers in music.

He is in Auckland at present singing the bass solo in Mozart’s Requiem with the National Youth Choir and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. The choir goes overseas next year and Teddy Rhodes will decide on whether he stays overseas for further study then. The Dame Sister Mary

Leo Scholarship allows him $20,000 for study — study he may opt to take in private lessons with a teacher rather than in one of the recognised institutions. “I think I might take lessons and travel around for a while,” he said. He believes that the

Mobil could provide him an ideal springboard into professional singing. “If I can get known here in New Zealand and get some exposure on television then it will be much easier over there.” And his chances in the Mobil? “One in 12, I’d say. And that has to be better than one in 100.” ’ '