New Zealander Among International Line Up For Choral Summer School
New Zealander Karen Grylls will be among a host of international stars at The Tenth International Summer School in
Choral Conducting at the University of Auckland.
Head of Choral Studies at The University of Auckland, Grylls will be joined by five international figureheads in choral
music, including America’s top choirmaster Rodney Eichenberger.
To be held from 4-9 January 2001 at the University, the conducting summer school will enable conductors and singers to
learn and sing with internationally recognised choral educators, as well as the best in Australia and New Zealand.
Karen Grylls is currently the director of the TOWER New Zealand National Youth Choir, which will perform during the
summer school. The choir won ‘Choir Of The World’ at the Llanglollen Eisteddfod in 1999 and represented New Zealand at
the 1996 World Choral Symposium in Sydney. Karen also founded the chamber choir TOWER New Zealand and teaches in
conducting and theory/analysis at The University of Auckland.
Guest of Honour at the summer school, Rodney Eichenberger has become known around the world as one of America’s most
highly respected choral educators for his innovative and systematic approach to the training of choral conductors. A
personable, warm and skilled conductor, his peers recently voted him as the top choral conductor in the United States.
Other international guests include Bob Chilcott, Britain’s top choral composer and the conductor of the Royal College of
Music’s 200 voice chorus in London. Australasian artists include Australian conductor Guy Jansen, founder of the world’s
first national youth choir, the New Zealand National Youth Choir.
Twice-daily tutor groups throughout the summer school provide a unique opportunity for conductors at all levels to
receive expert tuition in conducting gestures, rehearsal techniques, musical style and leading a choir. There will also
be a range of master classes, plenary sessions and specialised workshops.
The second Australasian Choral Conducting Competition will be held during the summer school, and a national secondary
schools choral course is available for students. Other highlights of the School will be an exhibition of choral music,
public concerts and a twilight harbour cruise and dinner.
For more information about the International School in Choral Conducting, or to enrol, contact The University of
Auckland’s Centre for Continuing Education, ph. (09) 373 7599 x6398
Media interviews with Karen Grylls are available in person or by phone. Interviews with other guests are available by
telephone.
Media inquiries
Reuben Munn Karen Grylls
Baldwin Boyle Group University of Auckland
Tel. (09) 486 6544 Tel. (09) 373 7599 x7461