2024
Sunday 5th May 2024 at 2.30pm
Turner Centre, Kerikeri
“Sound the trumpet!”
The BOI Singers perform sacred and secular music with a royal connection.
Joseph Haydn – Te Deum
John Tavener – Song for Athene
George Frederik Handel – Water Music Suite No 2 in D
Henry Purcell – Birthday Ode for Queen Mary – Come Ye Sons of Art
Interval
Handel “Pops”:
– Let the bright seraphim – from Samson
– Arrival of the Queen of Sheba – from Solomon
– Where’er you walk – from Semele
– See, the conquering hero comes – from Judas Maccabeus
Mozart – Mass in C – Coronation Mass
Elizabeth Mandeno – Soprano
Jessica Wells – Alto
Iain Tetley – Tenor
Jarvis Dams – Bass
Conductor – John Jackets
2023
Sunday 26 November at 2.30pm – Turner Centre, Kerikeri
“A Cracker Of A Concert!”
“A cracker” brings thoughts of Christmas as well as something with a special exciting quality!
The choice of music for the BOIS November concert should fit the bill with early festive music for choir and brass to a Bach masterpiece, the first performance of a Christmas work by New Zealander Michael Bell and some popular musical surprises.
The choir will be joined by soloists Henrietta Reid, Jarvis Dams and Michael Burch along with a guest orchestra conducted by John Jackets
Trad. Gaudete
Gabrieli Hodie Christus natus est
Schubert Mille cherubini in coro
Berlioz Shepherds’ farewell
Bell Come, Christmas Child (first performance)
Interval
Bach Wachet auf
Elgar Lux aeterna
Anderson Sleigh Ride
Sartori Con te partiro
Adam O Holy Night
Tin Sogno di Volare
Strauss Radetsky March
Lerner & Lowe My Fair Lady Suite
Sunday 14 May 2023 at 2.30pm
Turner Centre Auditorium
Kerikeri
Sunday 14 May 2023 at 2.30pm
Turner Centre Auditorium
Kerikeri
“Music of Our Time”
Hubert Parry – I was Glad (1902)
John Rutter – Musica Dei donum (1998)
Bob Chilcott – A Little Jazz Mass (2004)
Karl Jenkins – The Armed Man – A Mass for Peace (1999)
Guest Instrumental Ensemble
Organ Michael Bell
Conductor John Jackets
2022
“MESSIAH”
2:30pm Sunday 27th November 2022
Handel’s masterpiece will be performed by the Bay of Islands Singers with:
Elizabeth Mandeno – Soprano
Sarah Court – Mezzo-Soprano
Lachlan Craig – Tenor
Thomas Røshol- Bass
With guest orchestra conducted by John Jackets
“On the wings of a dove”
2.30pm Sunday July 31 2022
In the current turbulent times the music in this concert offers up the hope for a more peaceful and joyful future!
The choir welcomes back Kerikeri’s popular soprano Tania Priebs and tenor Michael Burch, along with Auckland organist Michael Bell and Pippa Howes, flute and Philippa Mandeno, oboe. Conducted by John Jackets
The programme will include a part of Bach’s masterpiece, St John Passion, three contrasting works by Mendelssohn, Fauré’s popular Cantique de Jean Racine, two short pieces by contemporary composer John Rutter and end with the joyous fourth Coronation Anthem by Handel.
In addition there will be two short instrumental works, a Bach organ fugue and a part of Marcello’s well known oboe concerto.
The programme
Mendelssohn Drei Geistliche Lieder Three Sacred Songs
Fauré Cantique de Jean Racine
Bach Little Fugue in G minor BWV 578
Bach From St John Passion
Interval
Mendelssohn Ave Maria
Marcello Oboe concerto in D minor (2nd movt.)
Rutter Look at the world
Mendelssohn Lord hear my prayer
Handel Coronation Anthem – My heart is inditing
2021
“and All that Jazz” – Saturday 4th December 2021 3.30pm
A celebration of jazz, popular songs and…..the bicycle
Autumn Concert – Sunday 18 April, 2021
2:30 pm in the John Dalton Auditorium – Turner Centre
Carmina Burana by Carl Orff
This hugely popular work is a cantata composed in 1935/6 with text from medieval secular poems set into an exciting collection of songs illustrating such things as the fickleness of wealth, the fleeting nature of life, the joy of Spring and the pleasures and perils of drinking and gluttony, with its most famous opening section, O Fortuna. This performance will be accompanied by an army of percussionists alongside two grand pianos
The programme will also include the reflective Five Mystical Songs for Baritone and Choir by Ralph Vaughan Williams
2020
Spring Concert – Sunday 29 November, 2020
2:30 pm in the John Dalton Auditorium – Turner Centre
After nearly a year with no concerts, the Bay of Island Singers are finally able to get back on stage to present their end of year concert. The optimistic and tranquil setting of Fauré’s Requiem is followed by works with both celebratory and Christmassy themes by Haydn, Handel, Holst, Adam and Finzi. The choir is joined by a line-up of top soloists with guest orchestra directed by John Jackets
with
Soprano – Elizabeth Mandeno
Tenor – Michael Burch
Baritone – Jarvis Dams
Guest Orchestra led by Emily Allen
Organ – Michael Bell
Conductor – John Jackets
Programme includes:
Fauré | Requiem |
Haydn | Te Deum |
Finzi | In Terra Pax – Christmas Scene |
Holst | Christmas Day |
Adam | O Holy Night |
Handel | Zadok the priest |
The first half of the programme is a performance of the ever popular Fauré Requiem, noted for its underlying sense of hope, serenity and peace.
The second half opens with Haydn’s popular setting of the Te Deum followed by music with a Christmas theme: GerardFinzi’sevocative In Terra Pax – Christmas Scene written in 1956 followed by a setting of Christmas Carols by Gustav Holst, the all-time favourite O Holy Night and ending with that up-lifting Coronation Anthem by Handel – Zadok the Priest
Soloists:
Elizabeth Mandeno has an MA in Advanced Vocal Technique from the Wales International Academy of Voice where she studied with Dennis O’Neill and Nuccia Focile. Elizabeth won the Dame Malvina Major Foundation First Prize at the New Zealand Aria in 2019
Jarvis Dams was the 2017 Winner of the Dame Malvina Major Foundation first prize at the prestigious New Zealand Arias Competition and winner of the Sydney Eisteddfod Opera Scholarship for 2018.
Well-known Kerikeri tenor Michael Burch makes a welcome return to complete the trio
Running Time – 2 x 50 minute with a 20 minute interval
2019
The Bay of Islands Singers present
Sunday 1st December, 2019 2:30pm – John Dalton Theatre
“Choral Gems”
with
Soprano – Elaine Wogan; Mezzo-Soprano – Jessica Wells; Tenor – Andrew Grenon; Baritone – James Harrison
Organ – Michael Bell and Guest orchestra
Conductor – John Jackets
Britten – Ceremony of Carols
Charpentier – Messe de Minuit
Salieri – Organ Concerto
Haydn – Nelson Mass
Benjamin Britten wrote his cantata, A Ceremony of Carols, during World War II while crossing the Atlantic. It is a collection of short of medieval poems with Christmas themes which have become firm favourites with both choirs and audiences.
French composer Charpentier’s delightful Messe de Minuit pour Noel (Christmas Mass) is based on French folksongs for Christmas most of which are dance like in character.
The second half of the concert will begin with the third movement from Antonio Salieri’s organ concerto written in 1773 and ends with Haydn’s stunning “Nelson Mass”, arguably his greatest composition long associated with Nelson’s victory over Napoleon.
“Stage Lights” – music for the theatre – Saturday May 4th 7.30pm – The Plaza at The Turner Centre
Opera (Aida) : Operetta (Merry Widow; Gondoliers) : Musicals (Cabaret, Oklahoma, Les Misérables and Chess)
Guest Orchestra with Tania Priebs (soprano) Ipu Laga’aia (tenor) Conductor John Jackets
John Marshall reviewed this concert for the Northland Age.
2018
Sunday 2nd Dec 2018 2:30pm – Turner Centre Auditorium
New Beginnings
“The promise of peace and hope at Christmas”
with Guest Orchestra & Soloists
Programme includes Bach Christmas Oratorio (Pt 1 & 2) and the Christmas Music from Handel’s Messiah
Sunday 19th Aug 2018 2:30pm and 4:30pm – Waimate North Church
Sacred Music down the ages
Lacrymosa (from the Requiem) – W.A, Mozart
My Soul, there is a Country – C. Hubert H. Parry
Magnificat – Charles Villiers Stanford
Rejoice in The Lord Alway – Henry Purcell
The Lord’s my Shepherd – Howard Goodall
Benedictus (from The Armed Man) – Karl Jenkins
The Holy City – Stephen Adams
Locus iste – Anton Bruckner
Miserere – Gregorio Allegri
The Lamb – John Taverner
Ave Verum Corpus – William Byrd
Saturday 26th May 2018 7:30pm – Turner Centre Auditorium
Autumn Concert
With a Guest orchestra
Organ – Michael Bell
Soloists: Tania Priebs soprano: Helen Acheson mezzo-soprano: Michael Burch baritone
Conductor – John Jackets
Programme:
Duruflé – Requiem
Caccini – Ave Maria
Boyce – Symphony No 5
Gigout – Grand Choeur Dialogue
Vivaldi – Gloria
2017
Sunday 3rd December 2017 – 2:30pm
Musical Allsorts
Programme
Toward the Unknown Region Ralph Vaughan Williams
Peter and the Wolf Sergei Prokofiev
Gypsy Chorus (Anvil Chorus) Giuseppe Verdi
Chorus of Hebrew Slaves Giuseppe Verdi
Jerusalem Hubert Parry
Radetzky March Johann Strauss Sr.
Sound of music Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein 2nd
Fantasia on British Sea Songs Henry Wood
A large and enthusiastic audience enjoyed the variety in the choir’s December concert at the Turner Centre in Kerikeri.
The Singers was joined by a large orchestra of first class players from Auckland, Whangarei and Kerikeri and directed by John Jackets
The title “Musical Allsorts” seemed very appropriate for this programme of music selected to appeal to a wide audience.
The concert began with an early 20th century English choral gem by Vaughan-Williams to a setting of words by Walt Whitman. This is a challenging work for both choir and orchestra but in spite of very limited rehearsal time, the performance was a fine rendition of this remarkable piece ending with a musical climax of vocal and orchestral grandeur so typical of RVW’s writing.
This was followed by the ever popular orchestral work, Peter and the Wolf. With it’s obvious appeal to younger audiences (sadly absent from this concert) this remains a favourite of all ages. The musical themes of the various characters were expertly played by the string section – leader Emily Allen, flautist Pippa Howes, oboe Alison Jepson, clarinet Donald Nicholls and bassoon Bridget Lynd. The three horns of Tony Webster, Yih-Hsin Huang and Matt Watson were a suitably menacing wolf.
Jane Jackets and Michael Burch expertly provided the characterful narration.
The second half had a ‘Last Night of the Proms’ feel about it without the flags and bunting! There was an opportunity for audience participation in Strauss’s Radetzky March and in a lively medley from the ever popular Sound of Music.
The concert ended with the Henry Wood Fantasy on British Sea Songs, another favourite from the Promenade concerts. In this edition, the music was arranged very successfully for orchestra and accompanying vocal sea songs.
Saturday 12th August 2017 – 7:30pm
The Winter Concert in the Plaza at the Turner Centre: Transatlantic Festival of Music – In contrast to the May concert, this will be a relaxing and foot tapping evening with popular music from both sides of the Atlantic.
Accompanied by dazzling jazz pianist Matt Watson and a 5-piece band, the choir will perform a wide range of jazz standards and show songs plus a lot more
Saturday 13th May 2017 – 7:30pm
Autumn Concert at the Turner Centre: Programme includes works by JS Bach, Howard Goodall, J Haydn and Karl Jenkins
2016
Handel’s Messiah – December 2016
The Singers received a standing ovation when they performed Handel’s Messiah to a full house at The Turner Centre in Kerikeri. Conductor John Jackets appeared stunned as he made three curtain calls. It was as if the audience were asking for an encore!
The choir of around 80 singers was joined by four of New Zealand’s finest soloists and an amazing orchestra along with a number of invited singers from around Northland. Soprano Elaine Wogan and mezzo-soprano Kate Spence were performing with BOIS for the first time and their singing was just glorious. There was a welcome return to Auckland based tenor Lachlan Craig and Chalium Poppy, bass whose ‘Sound the trumpet’ with sparkling solo trumpet by Stephen Bemelman was a ‘show stopper’. The orchestra lead by Emily Allen played with a great sense of ensemble and clarity with fine continuo playing of Michael Bell (organ) and Janet Robinson (cello).
Numerous wonderful accolades were received from soloists, visiting singers and the audience. Here are a few:
“I’ve sung the Messiah numerous times and never received a reaction like this – it’s very special”
“Please invite me to sing again sometime”
“The best performance of the Messiah I’ve ever had the privilege of hearing anywhere”
“This is the best Bay of Islands Singers performance ever”
“Your singing was magnificent”
The Singers sincerely thank John Jackets for his tutelage and guidance in their preparation for the performance.
Following on from our performance of ‘The Messiah’ on the 4th December, a member of the audience wrote this lovely poem:
Handel’s Messiah 10.12.2016 Sarah Angus
Brooding expectation in tuning violins.
Audience anticipation of familiar joy
from music touched by genius.
The Conductor’s careful control
with back to the audience,
but fully present
with orchestra and choir,
as they navigate melodies
striving for perfection.
The singers perfectly positioned
as each voice carries
clearly to eager ears.
Peace fueled delight
wrapped in Isaiah’s comfort,
and John the Baptist’s resounding cry,
beheading not silencing his words of life.
The Glory of the Lord shall be revealed
and all flesh shall see it together.
Sweet clear voices and deeper resonance
join in sublime harmony.
Voices chime out in peals of praise.
Manuscripts clasped in fervent hands,
each one in rapt attention
to the finely polished score.
Divine inspiration within Handel’s mind.
God’s Word wrapped in glorious tuneful form.
Unto us a Child is born.
Unto us a Son is given.
He shall be called Wonderful.
Full throated proclamation pours forth,
lifting spirits and warming hearts
with satisfying Truth.
God’s glory manifest in crafted chorus
and the trumpets shrill cry,
a journey through the Messiah’s life.
And He shall reign for ever and ever.
Long after the concert goers
wend they way home
with satisfied hearts and minds,
and alleluias rising from their lips