Choirs to merge in harmony

Press, 1 December 1989, Page 7

Choirs to merge in harmony

By

KAY FORRESTER

Christchurch’s two big choirs, the Royal Christchurch Musical Society and the Christchurch Harmonic Society, will merge at the end of next year.

Both choirs have voted in favour of the merger, although the agreement in principle is subject to confirmation at their annual meetings early next year.

The new choir will number between 260 and 280 singers. The Royal Christchurch has about 160 members and the Harmonic about 120. The chairmen of the choirs, Mr Tony Robinson, Royal Christchurch, and Mrs Hilary Rayner, Harmonic, said yesterday both choirs were enthusiastic about the move.

“It must be the worst kept secret in Christchurch,” Mr Robinson said.

Negotiations for the merger began in March but informal discussions have taken place for much longer. Both choirs were "reasonably OK” financially and it was not just viability that had prompoted the merger, Mr Robinson said. One organisation would be better able to negotiate with such groups as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. The Royal Christchurch’s longserving conductor, Mr Robert Field-Dodgson, will retire at the end of this year. The Harmonic conductor, is Mr David Childs, whose contract is for renewal about March.