On Saturday, 17 May, at 7.30 pm in St Peter's Church, Ruahine Street, the Renaissance Singers will showcase special songs the choir has sung over the years. The concert will follow a workshop where those past members of the choir who wish to can join the choir in rehearsing favourite numbers prior to joining the Renaissance Singers on stage once again to entertain as they did years ago. The choir has had three Music Directors (see photo above), Guy Donaldson (30 years), Christine Archer-Lockwood (current) and originally Graham Parsons.

Graham Parsons wrote many pieces that were subsequently performed by the choir. His contribution will be celebrated with the choir singing two of his pieces that demonstrate his appreciation of, and skill in writing diverse genre. His short and delightful Hodie Christus Natus Est illustrates Graham's skill with the religious oratorio style, while his quirky Changing the Clocks reveals his capacity to write humorous lyrics in a jaunty dynamic arrangement.

The inaugural patron of the Renaissance Singers, Helen Caskie, was a profoundly knowledgeable music critic and composer. The choir will present extracts from her deeply spiritual and reflective Seven Songs of the Spirit. Four choir members will be stepping up as the soloists and Palmerston North flautist, Diana Neild will provide the flute accompaniment.

During his thirty years as the Renaissance Singers' Music Director, Guy Donaldson conducted both Parsons and Caskie songs so it will be very fitting to welcome him back to the rostrum to conduct these pieces with current Music Director, Christine Archer-Lockwood on the piano.

Auden's poem, Hymn to St Cecilia, was written to be put to music by Benjamin Britten, who was born on St Cecilia's Day. Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians and poets, thought to provide inspiration and motivation. Britten, together with the Renaissance Singers, musically bring to dramatic life the religious grace inherent in Auden's description of the various ways Cecilia might influence those composing. Britten's tour de force Rejoice in the Lamb is based on Christopher Smart's reverential poem. It leaps off the musical stage with a wonderful organ accompaniment provided by Roy Tankersley. This was the first major piece performed by the Renaissance Singers (to critical acclaim) and the choir are thrilled to have the opportunity to present it again.

The choir will be singing other wonderful choral pieces that in the past were well received plus the widely beloved Mozart's Regina Coeli, performed by choirs all over the world. It has a marvellous Mozartian piano accompaniment and is a rousing favourite.

A great evening is in store as the Renaissance Singers celebrate fifty years of wonderful choral music.