Have you stood side by side with someone and sung the national anthem? It brings a sense of camaraderie, and that is at the heart of why Christine Argyle has taken the top job at the New Zealand Choral Federation.
Nota Bene with Christine Argyle Photo: Supplied
The former RNZ Concert presenter turned manager of the New Zealand String Quartet has just taken up the new role at NZCF this week. The voice, and in particular choral singing, has a special space in her heart.
“[Choirs] are very social whatever age group they are,” she says. “I think there’s a very strong sense of camaraderie. There’s something powerful standing side by side singing – singing the national anthem – it stirs up an emotional response.”
Singing in a choir is also a “leveller” and is something everyone can participate in, regardless of age and ability. She’s had experience with a range of choirs, and once led a workplace choir in a government department involving everyone from junior advisors to senior managers. “Everyone is side by side,” she says. “It doesn’t matter what your social ranking is, you are there to do the same job.”
Argyle is also a singer and was part of the NZ Youth Choir. She’s a founding member of Voices New Zealand, founded two choirs in the capital herself, and has conducted numerous choirs.
She toured Europe in 1982 with the Youth Choir and has recently returned from a European tour with Voices New Zealand. “It was that Youth Choir experience that was life changing one for me,” she says. “Voices (NZ) tours are fantastic and enriching in so many ways but there’s a different experience being on a Youth Choir tour!”
Argyle has also had a long relationship with the Choral Federation. She’s sat on the board and is now Chief Executive. The organisation has thousands of members in 10 regions around the country. CFNZ oversees 'The Big Sing' – the premier annual choir competition for secondary schools – workshops, conferences and other big events like 'Sing Aotearoa'.
And in 2020, the Choral Federation will host the World Symposium on Choral Music, a triennial festival of choirs showcasing the best the choral world has to offer.
