On May 1-15, 2024 the members of the Michigan Tech Concert Choir participated in a successful tour of New Zealand. They traveled through Auckland, Rotorua, Hamilton, Wellington, Hanmer Springs, Christchurch, Queenstown, and Dunedin; traveling from the far north to the far south of the country. They were fortunate to have beautiful weather for the trip, with a lot of sunshine and temperatures much like we experience now in the Keweenaw. 58 individuals traveled in the group: 47 performers (including the conductor and pianist) and 11 friends. The youngest choir member was 16 years old and the oldest was 82 years old. Travelers included 17 Michigan Tech students, 2 Houghton HS students (one will be a freshman at Tech in the fall), 6 faculty, 4 retired faculty/staff, 7 choir alumni, and 22 community members.
The choir performed to audiences in lovely venues in each of the major cities. Proceeds from each concert were donated to local charities:
Auckland: St. Matthew-in-the-City Anglican Church
Hamilton: Exchange with the Hamilton Civic Choir (held on the campus of the University of Waikato)
Wellington: St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church
Christchurch: The Philip Carter Family Concert Hall at The Piano
Dunedin: St. Paul’s Cathedral (Anglican)
Highlights of the tour included visiting the extinct caldera of Mt. Eden (Maungawhau) in Auckland, exploring Hobbiton (near Rotorua), crossing the Cook Strait, seeing the Southern Lights in Christchurch, feeling the mountain air in Hanmer Springs and Queenstown. The choir experienced beautiful vistas, wonderful food, welcoming audiences, and warm sunshine.
Director Jared Anderson said, “I am so proud of how the choir performed in each concert on the tour. They sang with great heart and really represented the university well to each audience. I am also especially grateful for the ways that the members of the choir remained positive through long travel days and the usual obstacles experienced in a travel group of this size. It is a trip that will remain in our memory for a long time. I am also grateful for the support of the College of Sciences and Arts and the Department of Visual and Performing Arts along with many donors who helped to underwrite some the expenses of the trip for the students. Through donor generosity, each student received significant support that was applied to their travel fee. We look forward to traveling again in the future.”
Members of the Michigan Tech Concert Choir perform in St. Paul’s Cathedral in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Lake Pukaki with Mount Cook (highest point in New Zealand) in the background.
A view of the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis) from downtown Christchurch, New Zealand.
The Michigan Tech Concert Choir rehearses for a performance at The Piano in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Members of the Michigan Tech Concert Choir and the Hamilton Civic Choir.
Members of the Michigan Tech Concert Choir at Waiotapu (Rotorua, NZ)
Bilbo Baggins’ home at the movie set for The Hobbit.
Michigan Tech Concert Choir and audience at St. Matthew-in-the-City, Auckland, NZ.
Michigan Tech Concert Choir at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Students from the Michigan Tech Concert Choir pose atop Maungawhau in Auckland, New Zealand.