A message from the Musical Directors
Welcome to the 2010 Christchurch Schools' Music Festival - the seventy-first year that the Festival has been in existence. If this will be your first year of involvement, know that you are about to become part of something that is huge in scale - you will one of over 4000 pupils who will take part this year. And if you are a returning member of the festival family, welcome back. I can assure you that this year will be just as exciting and as demanding as last year. You are part of something of which Christchurch is very proud...something that is unique in New Zealand...and something that you will always remember with pride. I hope that you really enjoy your experiences at Festival this year!
Charles Levings
Charles has sung numerous roles in light opera, taught singing, conducted many children's choirs, and adjudicated at innumerable singing competitions. He is currently Principal of Avonhead School.
It is always a thrill to feel the Town Hall buzzing with the excitement of hundreds of young people ready to perform...and even more wonderful to hear the enthusiastic applause of an audience wowed by the skill and musicality of those young people! I can't wait to get started. It has been a long journey from our beginnings 71 years ago - and yours will also be a long journey to that night on-stage under the lights - but it has been, and will be for all of us yet again this year, a fun trip with a great climax. Let's enjoy every minute of it! If you are a member of a Special Group, get ready for hard work and a feeling of great achievement. I can't wait to get started!
Richard Oswin
Richard is an extraordinary pianist, a passionate music-educator and a respected composer/arranger. He spends his working days in the 'real world' of education as Deputy Principal of Elmwood School.