Big steps for the Christchurch City Choir

Monday 21 July 2014

Taking another big step forward in its future development, the Christchurch City Choir has just announced the winner of a competition run in partnership with the ACG Yoobee School of Design to come up with a fresh new brand identity for the Choir.

The winner, Mark Hamilton, was one of a small group of students who worked on the design project, the brief for which was to develop a new logo reflecting the Choir’s new strategic goals, including the need to reach beyond its traditional audiences with increased programme diversity.

“The quality of design and effort delivered by all of the Yoobee students was excellent” said the Choir’s Marketing & Concert Manager, Phillippa Boa. “The decision-making process was exceptionally hard for the Board because each of the students’ designs brought something special to the table. Ultimately, Mark’s design, reflecting not only the movement of a conductor with baton, but also a geographical nod to the Port Hills, fought off the stiff competition to land him the $300 prize.”

This initiative represents another important step in the Choir’s future under the leadership of Andrew Withington, who was appointed as Music Director in January 2014. Other major steps include the appointment of a new board Chair, Craig Knowles, partner in Rangiora law firm Helmore Bowron & Scott and a singer himself; an ongoing recruitment drive; and the award of a Creative New Zealand grant for the purposes of capacity building in the area of audience development.

“The Creative New Zealand grant will cover the costs of a research project that will provide valuable insights on how the Choir can engage more effectively with the Christchurch and Canterbury community. As a result we have decided to defer any rebranding decisions until later in the year when we will have the research findings to contribute to the process,” says Phillippa.

“It’s always great to be able to give our students real projects to work on”, said Mike Williams, Yoobee Design Tutor. “We are looking forward to the opportunity to working with the Choir again later in the year to further develop the potential of the students’ designs and hopefully achieve a permanent new look for the Choir”.

The Christchurch City Choir performs on average three to five concerts a year, collaborating regularly with soloists of international acclaim, and the Christchurch and New Zealand Symphony Orchestras.

A major recruitment drive to Sing for the City is still in full swing, and non-member singers are invited to attend an open rehearsal night on Tuesday 29 July to get a feel for the unique experience of singing with a large symphonic choir.

Details on upcoming concerts and how to audition for the Choir can be found on our website:

www.christchurchcitychoir.co.nz

Information on the ACG Yoobee School of Design can be found at www.yoobee.ac.nz

ENDS

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