History
The choir has existed for more than 80 years, having been incorporated in1933, as the Upper Hutt Home and School Association Male Voice Choir. After a number of changes in name and style, it became the Hutt Valley Singers in 2004. Our Musical Director since 2010 has been Joanne Roelofs.
Membership
New members are always welcome! A year’s subscription is currently $150 if paid before the end of February, otherwise $55 for each of our three terms. There are no restrictions on membership; we do not audition newcomers or insist on some ability to read music, though that is obviously an advantage. The easiest time to join is at the beginning of the year or just after a concert.
Uniform
For the choir's own concerts, women now wear black tops and skirts or trousers, set off by hand-painted “paua” scarves. Men's dress consists of dark trousers, preferably black, and a long-sleeved black shirt; the choir provides blue ties. Everyone wears black shoes.
Concerts
We usually give two or three concerts a year in Upper Hutt, but the pattern varies; we have combined with other choirs, and given "home" and "away" concerts with them; larger forces give a chance of better accompaniment and soloists than we could afford on our own.
The usual concert venues have been churches or school halls, and more recently Upper Hutt’s “Expressions” arts centre and Lower Hutt’s Little Theatre. Concerts are usually given on Sunday afternoons. Rehearsals at the concert venue are normal; sometimes on a regular Monday, and also closer to the performance.
Recent Concerts
In 2019 we performed a selection of Opera Choruses and Aria’s in the Expressions theatre with soloists Isaac Stone and Samantha Kelley. In August at St Margarets Church hall we presented a fantastic concert to a packed hall of Musical Theatre music, including young soloists from Arts a Go Go! and Joanne Roelofs Music. We then went on to join the Upper Hutt Brass Band in their annual ‘Last Night of the Proms’ concert and finished the year joined with the Major Minors Children’s Choir, where we performed ‘A Little Jazz Mass’ by Bob Chilcott with two amazing musicians from HIBS and a selection of Christmas Music. Our year was completed with the Nine Lessons and Carols service at Holy Trinity Church in Wainuiomata.
Check out our Gallery to see photos of these wonderful concerts.
The choir has existed for more than 80 years, having been incorporated in1933, as the Upper Hutt Home and School Association Male Voice Choir. After a number of changes in name and style, it became the Hutt Valley Singers in 2004. Our Musical Director since 2010 has been Joanne Roelofs.
Membership
New members are always welcome! A year’s subscription is currently $150 if paid before the end of February, otherwise $55 for each of our three terms. There are no restrictions on membership; we do not audition newcomers or insist on some ability to read music, though that is obviously an advantage. The easiest time to join is at the beginning of the year or just after a concert.
Uniform
For the choir's own concerts, women now wear black tops and skirts or trousers, set off by hand-painted “paua” scarves. Men's dress consists of dark trousers, preferably black, and a long-sleeved black shirt; the choir provides blue ties. Everyone wears black shoes.
Concerts
We usually give two or three concerts a year in Upper Hutt, but the pattern varies; we have combined with other choirs, and given "home" and "away" concerts with them; larger forces give a chance of better accompaniment and soloists than we could afford on our own.
The usual concert venues have been churches or school halls, and more recently Upper Hutt’s “Expressions” arts centre and Lower Hutt’s Little Theatre. Concerts are usually given on Sunday afternoons. Rehearsals at the concert venue are normal; sometimes on a regular Monday, and also closer to the performance.
Recent Concerts
In 2019 we performed a selection of Opera Choruses and Aria’s in the Expressions theatre with soloists Isaac Stone and Samantha Kelley. In August at St Margarets Church hall we presented a fantastic concert to a packed hall of Musical Theatre music, including young soloists from Arts a Go Go! and Joanne Roelofs Music. We then went on to join the Upper Hutt Brass Band in their annual ‘Last Night of the Proms’ concert and finished the year joined with the Major Minors Children’s Choir, where we performed ‘A Little Jazz Mass’ by Bob Chilcott with two amazing musicians from HIBS and a selection of Christmas Music. Our year was completed with the Nine Lessons and Carols service at Holy Trinity Church in Wainuiomata.
Check out our Gallery to see photos of these wonderful concerts.
