Illustrating the artistic breadth and diversity alive in our province: a concert of new compositions by Christchurch composers setting poems by Canterbury authors.

A host of creative Cantabrians are at the heart of the latest project by Christchurch chamber choir Jubilate Singers. Twelve composers have teamed up with 12 poets to create a collection of songs that sings of Otautahi and its surrounds.

The ocean, the wind, the glaciers, and our ‘Mountains, Rivers and People’ to quote one of the composition titles, all feature as general themes, along with friends and loved ones, and quirky appraisals of the art of poetry and the act of singing. There is even an ode to Quail Island.

Music Director Philip Norman, says the purpose of the project was ‘to introduce local composers to living poets, in the hopes of sparking collaborative energy’. ‘Some real gems of expression have resulted’ he concludes.

Contributing composers include Chris Adams, Thomas Bedggood, Madeline Butler, Stephanie Gilks, Pieta Hextall, Christopher Mortlock, Richard Oswin, Tatiana Riabinkina, Sea-am Thompson, Ariana Tikao and Jeremy Woodside.

Participating poets comprise John Allison, Rebecca Ball, Bella Egorov, Bernadette Hall, Gail Ingram, Philomena Johnson, Sam Mahon, Joanna Preston, Kerrin P. Sharpe and E. Wen Wong.

Arts Foundation Laureate Tusiata Avia will feature in a recitation of her ‘A New Poem’ accompanied by a choral ‘sound-wash’ by Philip Norman.

Timed as a prelude to the 2025 Word writers’ festival, In Praise of Living Poets will be held at The Piano, Sunday 24 August, 2.30pm. Full advantage will be taken of the light-proof Philip Carter Family Concert Hall to project images reflective of each poem. While most of the compositions will be sung unaccompanied or with piano accompaniment by Jeremy Woodside, several incorporate percussion, strings and taonga pūoro.

The concert will be preceded by a panel discussion at 1.45pm on the mysteries of marrying words and music.