Wellington Singers Turn Fortress into Underground Music Venue
Karori’s Wrights Hill Fortress will become a performance space this
Remembrance day, as the Wellington Choir, The Doubtful Sounds, takes
over the underground gun emplacement for a concert of songs about war
and peace, marking the 99th anniversary of the end of the First World
War.
The choir will perform a mix of popular and sacred music, including
the kiwi classic, Blue Smoke on Saturday 11th November at 2pm and
3.30pm.
The defence force built the complex of guns and tunnels in the 1940s,
to protect Wellington from possible Japanese invasion.
Choir director, Bryan Crump, says the massive echo inside the fortress
cries out for some sort of musical performance. “As far as I know,
we’re the first to try it," Crump, who when he's not singing and
conducting, hosts the Nights show on RNZ National, says.
“It seems appropriate we should perform on November the 11th, the day
the guns fell silent on the Western Frontl, in 1918”.
“The songs reflect the feelings and emotions people face in war time,
the things that trouble us between wars, and stop us from keeping the
peace, but also the reasons why we should keep fighting for a world
without war.”
Joining the Doubtful Sounds is Te Aro School’s Kapa Haka Group, Te Arokura.
“If you need a reason for fighting for peace, you need look no further
than your kids,” says Crump.
The concert lasts 45 minutes, with two performances, one at 2pm, the
other at 3.30.
“Space is limited, so we’re encouraging people to buy tickets ahead of the day”.
Adults are $10, waged, $5 unwaged.
ENDS