Wednesday 24 June 2026
This term has been a remarkable journey for the King’s College choirs, directed by Steven Rapana and Rachel Alexander Sutherland. The rehearsal and performance schedule was intensive, including weekend workshops, choir camp, singing at Sunday House Chapels and school assemblies.
The choir camp featured focused rehearsals on challenging repertoire, as well as whakawhanaungatanga - building relationships, trust and confidence. These connections brought the choirs closer together as they prepared for the major performances of the term: the annual Choral Showcase and the Big Sing.
The Big Sing was both fun and significant, as a record number of first-time singers experienced their first major choral festival. The atmosphere was supportive, both within our own choirs and among the many schools taking part. When they stepped onto the stage, every singer gave their best, making it an inspiring and memorable experience.
All the King’s Men performed Sanctus by Chris Artley, as well as their first-ever performance of a work in Icelandic, and a lively choreographed performance of L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole, directed by Trudy Dobbie.
Cantorum featured Glow by Eric Whitacre, accompanied by the newly formed string quintet, the King’s Stringers, led by Jason Xiong with Chanju Lee on piano. The choir also performed Tofa Mai Feleni, arranged by Steven Rapana, both at Fiafia Night and during the assembly for Samoan Language Week, helping to celebrate and acknowledge Samoan language and culture within the College community.
Kappella presented a newly commissioned work titled City of Ruins by New Zealand composer, Kitty Milner, written for choir, violin and piano; an energetic and challenging work in Italian by Morten Lauridsen; and a lively rendition of Fusion by Don Macdonald.
All the King's Men and Kappaella made the Cadenza Finals and both choirs are reserves for Finale - a great results for the staff and students involved.
Each choir’s repertoire was chosen to challenge and develop our singers, helping them grow as musicians and choristers. Throughout the term, the student leaders of each choir provided excellent support: Oscar Groves (Year 13, School), Oliver Zhang (Year 13, Greenbank), and Victor Gu (Year 13, Greenbank) for All the King’s Men; Evee Tan (Year 13, Taylor) and William Johnson (Year 13, Marsden) for Cantorum; and Lauren Taylor (Year 13, Marion Bruce) and Ronan Tam (Year 13, School) for Kappella.
The choirs wish to thank those who collaborated with us throughout the term, including Chris Artley, Trudy Dobbie, and Nat Toevai, as well as our supporters Emma Featherstone, Katrina McConnell and Loata Mahe.