“The beauty and purity of their singing made for some breath-catching moments”

Nota Bene is Wellington’s most versatile chamber choir and has forged a reputation for its innovative programming and high performance standards. The ensemble was formed in 2004 by Christine Argyle, and performs a wide range of music, from classical through to contemporary art music and jazz. Many of the singers have trained with the New Zealand Youth Choir and some are past or present members of Voices New Zealand.

Auditions

Nota Bene will hold auditions for 2012 on Sunday 12 Feb, 10am – 5pm and Monday 13 Feb, 6-9pm in the Wellington Girls College Music room. Auditions will be approximately 15 minutes long, and those interested should be prepared to sing a song of their own choice (to be sung unaccompanied); vocal exercises (to determine range); and sight-reading.
If you are interested in auditioning, please email notabene@paradise.net.nz to arrange an audition time.

Recent concerts

Our last concert was a Christmas celebration, the story of St Nicholas as told by Benjamin Britten. In the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart at 2.30pm on 11 December, this concert was part of a mini-Britten festival by Nota Bene and Tudor Consort, A Britten Christmas.

Nota Bene's first concert for 2011 was Requiem on 3 April. This performance brought together a selection of achingly beautiful works, with the centrepiece of Howell's Requiem. Next up on Sunday 3 July was In the Mood, an afternoon of entertainment remembering the friendly wartime 'invasion' of US marines on the Kapiti Coast.

2010 was a busy year. Our first concert was a celebration of Mothers' Day: Songs my mother taught me, performed in the Sacred Heart Cathedral. The concert was recorded by Radio New Zealand Concert for later broadcast.

Members of Nota Bene performed In the Mood, on Sunday 10 October at the Museum of Wellington City and Sea. Before that, we joined with the Wellington Community Choir to celebrate their 5th Anniversary in the Wellington Town Hall on 18 September.

We celebrated Christmas 2010 in style with the International Christmas Festival at Old St Pauls as the guest choir for the opening concert, Christmas Around the World.

Then many friends came along to join us at the Jimmy Bar for a Christmas Around the World celebration on Wednesday 8 December. Thanks to all those who contributed to the donations for the City Mission. It was a fun night!

In 2009 we travelled to Nelson and Upper Hutt in July to present Sentimental Journey - a radio show for armchair travellers, followed in September by Ghosts, Fire, Water: Music of the Elements, conducted by Robert Oliver, at St Andrews on the Terrace.

On the lighter side, a vocal jazz ensemble from within the choir has performed at a number of events around Wellington. Nota Bene also operates as a 'Choir for hire' for weddings and corporate functions.

Upcoming Events

Auditions

Sunday 12 Feb, 10am – 5pm and Monday 13 Feb, 6-9pm
Wellington Girls College Music room
Please email notabene@paradise.net.nz to arrange an audition time.