On August 15th, Columba’s senior choir, Cantus Columba, consisting of around 30 Year 9-13 girls, drove up to Timaru to compete in the Big Sing Cadenza.

This prestigious event is the first of its kind, and we were among 10 choirs from around the South Island selected to take part. 

Over Friday and Saturday, we performed four songs: Weep No More, Hark All Ye Lovely Saints Above, Takotsubo and Lullaby, while also spending time in massed workshops with the adjudicator, Christie Anderson. 

The festival came to an end with a Gala Concert at the Timaru Theatre Royal on Saturday night, where we performed Lullaby and the massed choir pieces. 

The night ended with the award ceremony, where Cantus Columba was one of three choirs presented with the Excellence Prize, the highest possible award, and the only choir from Dunedin to gain such an award.

We were delighted with this significant achievement, and especially grateful to our invaluable choir director, Mr Madden, who made this achievement possible, as well as to the parents who came with us to Timaru and helped us along the way.

Victoria Williamson

Arts Prefect