As a traditional Anglican school, Christ’s College is very proud of its outstanding Chapel Choir. There are currently 88 members in the choir, selected from throughout the school.
The choir has an extensive repertoire, and while the main focus is singing at Chapel services, it also sings at other College events and in public performances.
Students in the Chapel Choir not only get a great musical education but also have the chance to tour overseas every three or four years. This has included a tour to Spain, France and Italy, performing in many cities. The choir has performed in amazing venues – including La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City – and has had fantastic opportunities to explore and experience European culture. Most recently, the choir toured Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic, singing traditional Anglican evensong in Cologne Cathedral and presenting concerts in Berlin, Munich, Prague and Vienna, before heading to Salzburg, where Mozart composed many of his works.
In addition to the Chapel Choir, students can audition for a place in our specialist choir, Schola Cantorum, which focuses on a cappella and more demanding part work. Schola Cantorum has performed at the prestigious Big Sing Finale for the last few years.
Recent Success
2022
- Regional Big Sing – Schola Cantorum Best Male Choir
- Regional Big Sing – Best Performance of a Classical Work
- Regional Big Sing – Schola Cantorum nominated for the Cadenza Festival
2021
- Regional Big Sing – Best Programme for a Mixed Voice Choir
- Regional Big Sing – Best Performance of a Classical Work
- Regional Big Sing – Schola Cantorum Best Male Choir at the regional festival
Choral Directors
Robert Aburn
Director of Music & Choirs
Robert Aburn
Director of Music & Choirs
Robert Aburn has an extensive career teaching in state and private schools throughout Canterbury.
After graduating with an honours degree in music from the University of Canterbury and diplomas in piano and singing performance from both the Royal College of Music and Trinity College London, Robert was a foundation member of the National Youth Choir of New Zealand.
Robert believes that singing is a medium of music-making that all students can access and enjoy. He has worked in schools that have developed a reputation for choral work and massed singing events. For five years, he was musical director of the Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival, which, annually, has in excess of 10,000 students performing over six nights.
Appointed to Christ’s College in 2003, Robert has rebuilt College’s choral programme, with 90–100 boys involved in Chapel Choir. The choir has been involved in performances of the Mozart and Lloyd Webber Requiems, and Orff’s Carmina Burana with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. The chamber choir, Schola Cantorum, is a fine a cappella ensemble, regularly singing at community and civic functions. Collegium, a combined 18-voice chorale from St Margaret’s College and Christ’s College, won a Gold award at the finals of the 2014 Big Sing Competition in Auckland and the Hutt Trophy for the best performance of a New Zealand composition.
In the regional competition, the Chapel Choir was awarded the Best Stage Presence and Schola Cantorum, the Best Male Choir in the Festival.
His other choirs have received multiple honours.