Scholars Baroque Aotearoa is a chamber choir based in Tauranga under the musical direction of Chalium Poppy.

Formed in 2010, we are the only auditioned early music choral ensemble in the Bay of Plenty. Performing stunning concerts throughout the year, we are a chamber choir dedicated to informed performances of period music (often baroque) with an emphasis on stylistic excellence and superior choral sound; often exploring forgotten and previously unknown sacred choral works. Our repertoire spans the history of choral music from early sixteenth century masterpieces to thrilling twenty-first century contemporaries and we have received international accolades for the New Zealand premières of choral works by Henry Purcell, Jean-Phillipe Rameau and Michael Haydn.

The Scholars are so called because of each member’s desire to further and more fully understand the music we perform and share the knowledge of that music with their audiences – whether it be the work’s historical significance or the more complex underlying choral nuances.

By definition, a chamber choir is smaller in membership than typically larger choral societies or community choirs; however, our smaller size is quite deliberate. The fewer the singers, the greater the possibility of having a more focused and crisper choral sound. But as a consequence of having fewer voices, there is also a greater possibility for individual singers to feel and sound exposed. Thus, much more time and energy is exerted perfecting the overall cohesive, balanced tone and blend of voices. Choral cooperation is paramount as the singer’s sensitivity towards their fellow musicians is heightened. Every voice must be strong and confident without exception. It is this style of music-making that defines the unique sound of the Scholars Baroque Aotearoa.

Recent concerts include:

– Handel’s Messiah, presented annually in conjunction with NZBarok, New Zealand’s professional baroque orchestra
– Handel’s Coronation Anthems and Dixit Dominus
– Handel’s Utrecht Te Deum and Jubilate
– Vivaldi’s Gloria
– Haydn’s Creation
– Purcell’s Come Ye Sons of Art
– Brahms’s Liebeslieder Waltzes
– Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna
– A range of English madrigals
– A selection of anthems by Purcell
– A collection of Victorian English choral music including Holst’s Ode on a Grecian Urn, Parry’s Blest Pair of Sirens, and a choral arrangement of Elgar’s Nimrod.

Recent special events include:

– A charity performance of Rutter’s Requiem, raising funds for the Christchurch Foundation following the March 2019 shootings
– Free family readings of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol plus carol singing with the Scholars
– Annual Nine Lessons and Carols Christmas services
– Sing-along Messiah events

The Scholars rehearse weekly at St Peter’s Church, Mount Maunganui. Membership is by audition; prospective singers must read music and have previous vocal training. Since 2015, we have also offered a choral scholarship programme for singers aged between 16 and 30. This programme provides both financial and musical rewards to young singers; our hope is to kindle a passion for choral music and give students a positive, successful, and lasting impression of the beautiful music we sing.

Singers interested in joining the Scholars either as a full member or as a choral scholar should contact the Artistic and Musical Director, Chalium Poppy, on chaliumpoppy@hotmail.com / 021 396 440, to arrange an audition.

Those interested in staying up to date with our concerts and special events can sign up to our mailing list and/or follow us on Facebook.