During my stay in Christchurch I attended a wonderful evening concert. Mr. and Mrs. G (my host family) invited me to the concert on my birthday, November 17! Mrs.G was a member of the Christchurch City Choir and was to sing on the stage that night. The concert was given in the Town Hall on the Avon--the beautiful river running through Christchurch.
How did I enjoy the concert? It was a very impressive concert. First the audience stood up and sang "God Save the Queen."
Then they sang their national anthem, first in Maori and then in English.
In the first half of the concert we enjoyed classical music performed by the Christchurch Symphony. After fifteen minutes' interval we enjoyed light music and songs by a famous soloist or the Christchurch City Choir. The latter half program aroused the audience to a passion.
Each member of the City Choir knotted a blue, red or white scarf around his or her throat. These were the colors of the NZ national flag. When the orchestra played the light music, the audience waved their national flags! some flipped blue paper ribbons on the stage, others red or white ribbons. They were singing to the music. They were excited but not noisy at all. The performers and the audience were really unified---one heart and mind. The reaction of the audience was exciting!
At the end of the concert they all stood up and sang, "God Defend NZ." I felt how much they loved their own country and how proud they were of it. Mr. and Mr. GO and some of their friends invited me out for a drink after the concert. I shall never forget the taste of the wine I drank at a cocktail lounge in Christchurch---on the Saturday night of November 17, 2001.
How did I enjoy the concert? It was a very impressive concert. First the audience stood up and sang "God Save the Queen."
Then they sang their national anthem, first in Maori and then in English.
In the first half of the concert we enjoyed classical music performed by the Christchurch Symphony. After fifteen minutes' interval we enjoyed light music and songs by a famous soloist or the Christchurch City Choir. The latter half program aroused the audience to a passion.
Each member of the City Choir knotted a blue, red or white scarf around his or her throat. These were the colors of the NZ national flag. When the orchestra played the light music, the audience waved their national flags! some flipped blue paper ribbons on the stage, others red or white ribbons. They were singing to the music. They were excited but not noisy at all. The performers and the audience were really unified---one heart and mind. The reaction of the audience was exciting!
At the end of the concert they all stood up and sang, "God Defend NZ." I felt how much they loved their own country and how proud they were of it. Mr. and Mr. GO and some of their friends invited me out for a drink after the concert. I shall never forget the taste of the wine I drank at a cocktail lounge in Christchurch---on the Saturday night of November 17, 2001.