— THE CATHEDRAL CHOIRS
HOLY TRINITY CATHEDRAL CHOIR
Singing three choral services per week during term time, the Choir of Holy Trinity Cathedral is, in terms of public performances, the busiest in the city.
This dynamic and flexible ensemble embraces the widest possible repertoire of sacred music, from Gregorian Chant, European renaissance polyphony and music written for the Anglican Church, through to contemporary religious work from New Zealand and beyond.
Though the choir works hard and performs to a very high standard within a tight schedule, it is a friendly and sociable group, with a strong sense of Music. Scholarships are often available to assist young people embarking on a course of musical study.
ST MARY'S SINGERS
St Mary's Singers is a mixed voice, auditioned choir, which sings at services in the Cathedral and elsewhere when the Cathedral Choir is not available, normally during the school holidays.
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This choir of enthusiastic and experienced singers are always looking for new members.
COME & SING CHOIR
Several times a year the Cathedral Choir holds Come & Sing events, usually Evensong services, where anyone is welcome to come and join in.
These are led by Peter Watts (Director of Choirs) and are a great way to be introduced to Cathedral music, or to retain links with this wonderful repertoire and tradition.
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Experience the joy and excitement of Cathedral singing by joining with the Cathedral
Choir for this special Evensong service.
Make sure you don’t miss your chance to sing music from this rich choral repertoire!
— THE MUSIC TEAM
— DIRECTOR OF CHOIRS
Peter Watts
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Peter Watts trained initially in the UK but came to New Zealand while travelling after finishing University study, and has been here ever since. He has always been active in the field of choral music, having sung in Cambridge University Musical Society as a student and then in the Dorian Choir when he settled in NZ.
For 20 years Peter was Music Director of Auckland Choral Society, conducting a wide range of interesting programmes as well as over 40 performances of the annual Messiah! Peter commissioned many works from NZ composers and introduced new repertoire from overseas, as well as presenting more traditional choral fare. He has participated in NZ Choral Federation in many roles and in 2005 he was awarded MNZM for services to choral music.
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Peter has always loved to encourage others to make music and this has led him to work with a wide variety of choral and orchestral groups, classical and contemporary, serious and light, amateur and professional. He has inspired many others to share his enthusiasm and co-operate with his cajoling.
Though choral conducting has been a priority, Peter also loves the piano. He especially enjoys accompanying, coaching, chamber music making and adjudicating. In partnership with his wife Katharine, he has presented many thought-provoking recitals for soprano and piano/harpsichord/organ.
For many years Peter and Katharine devised interactive music programmes for schools, and they continue to run a very popular chamber music series at All Saints Church in Howick called “Thursdays @ Seven”, now in its 25th year.
Peter taught harmony and musicology at Auckland University and has travelled extensively as a music examiner for Trinity College, London
Peter has three times acted as Interim Director of Choirs at Holy Trinity and is delighted now to be established in the position and no longer interim.
— CATHEDRAL ORGANIST
Dr Philip Smith
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Philip was born in North Staffordshire in the UK where he became a Chorister at the Parish Church of Stoke-on-Trent studying the organ with Michael Rhodes.
Following a period of study with the late Roger Fisher at Chester Cathedral he became a Student of The Royal Northern College of Music, gaining Diplomas from Trinity College of Music and The Royal College of Music, in organ performance. The Degree of Bachelor of Music followed from The University of Huddersfield.
In 1990 Philip was appointed as Assistant Organist of St. Asaph Cathedral before taking up the position of Organist & Director of Music at The Collegiate Church of St. Peter in Ruthin from 1994-2007.
2008 brought a move to Auckland to take up the post of Cathedral Organist at Holy Trinity Cathedral where he presides over a new 122-stop instrument which he designed for the completion of the Cathedral in 2017.
In 2018 he was conferred with the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Waikato, submitting a thesis on The Life and Works of French Organist and Composer, Léonce de Saint-Martin.
In addition to his work at the Cathedral, Dr Smith is also Visiting Organ Teaching Fellow at The University of Waikato, Organ Teacher at The University of Auckland, Baradene College, and Dilworth School, Auckland and St. Paul's Collegiate School, Hamilton.
