After a decade of shaking up what a choir can sound like, Stimmung Choir will celebrate its 10-year anniversary with a one-night-only concert at the Auckland Town Hall’s Great Hall on Friday 14 November.
The aptly titled Stimmung Choir – A Decade of Noise will bring together the full force of the 90-strong choir alongside some of Aotearoa’s most celebrated musicians, including Dianne Swann, Troy Kingi, Jazmine Mary, Esther Stephens, Jessie Cassin, Paul McLaney, Mikey Havoc, Mikey Videotape and Nicko Vella.
Founded in 2015 with around 30 singers, Stimmung has grown into one of Auckland’s most dynamic and unpredictable choirs. Membership has surged in recent years, now boasting 90 regular singers and more than 200 irregular members across its community. Described by the NZ Herald as ‘The coolest choir in Auckland’ the membership boasts over 10 of the “OGs” from the first year still singing, with members' ages spanning from their early 20s through to their mid-80s.
Part of Stimmung’s magic is the people who make it up — from ex-Team NZ sailors, psychologists and fire & emergency workers, to celebrated jewellery designers and badass arts leaders, all are welcome and embraced by the non-auditioned choir.
“What makes Stimmung special is the connection between people who might never otherwise meet. Joining over rock anthems and choral harmonies, all between art and community. This 10-year celebration is about honouring that noise, in all its messy, beautiful glory.”
Stimmung’s founder (and still its guiding force) is performer, musician and theatre-maker Robin Kelly, who has worked with many of New Zealand’s best musicians and theatre companies. With roots stretching from missionary ancestors to Australia, Dunedin and finally Auckland, Kelly balances a career across science consulting (from seaweed therapeutics to methane mitigation) with a passion for live community experiences — be it theatre, music, or yoga.
Over the past decade, Stimmung has staged seven self-produced concerts and collaborated on major projects including the NZ International Comedy Festival’s Two Hearts, Webworm Live, and Summer in the Square. Along the way, the choir has performed with Ria Hall, Laughton Kora, Jimmy Christmas, Milan Borich, the Sami Sisters and many more.
Tickets for this one night only concert at Auckland Town Hall’s Great Hall are on sale now from Ticketmaster via Auckland Live's website.
