Over a
hundred and twenty people packed into Parklands Social Hall in
Waikanae on Saturday 10 October at 3 pm to celebrate the life of the man called
the father of New Zealand choral music: Peter Godfrey.
Peter is 93
years old, and an oral history of his life is being launched to the sound of
madrigals and one of Peter's favourite songs 'Oculi Omnium', which he will
conduct. All attendees, a number of whom are eminent musicians, singers and
composers, will be asked to sing 'Oculi'. Peter Averi ONZM will launch the book
written by Elizabeth Salmon, with a foreword by the late Sir David Willcocks
.
Peter Godfrey
is the only person to have been chorister, choral scholar and director of music
at King’s College, Cambridge. In 1959 he brought those exacting standards to
choirs in this country, developing them to international standard.
He began at
St Mary’s Cathedral in Auckland, and went on to conduct the Dorian, National
Youth, Orpheus & Wellington Cathedral choirs, as well as the Kāpiti choirs.
Peter’s influence continues through a new generation of conductors, and the
work of the NZ Choral Federation he established.
Peter
Godfrey: Father of New Zealand Choral Music draws on conversations with Peter himself, colleagues,
friends and pupils throughout his life – people such as Peter Averi, Teddy Tahu
Rhodes, Karen Grylls, David Hamilton and Nick Tipping. Peter also recalls
encounters and friendships with leading figures in the world of music like
Ralph Vaughan Williams and Benjamin Britten.
Author
Elizabeth Salmon was Peter Godfrey's first organ pupil in New Zealand and went
on to be involved in a number of his choirs including the role of assistant
musical director of the Dorian Choir. She lives in Waikanae.
ISBN
978-0-9941065-8-2
Biography
published by Mākaro Press
Paperback A5,
photographs included.
RRP $40
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