About Us
About Our Story
Welcome to Palmerston North Choral Society
Brief From History
The Palmerston North Choral Society is committed to bringing the enjoyment of choral singing to the community of Palmerston North. We are a mixed-voice choir, founded in 1919. Our singers come from the wider Palmerston North area including Marton and Feilding.
For more than a century, the Society has shared a diverse range of choral music with audiences across the Manawatū. Our repertoire spans traditional oratorios and much-loved classical works through to contemporary compositions and music by New Zealand composers. Alongside our regular concerts, we enjoy taking part in community events and opportunities that bring singers and audiences together through the joy of music.
A Tradition of Music, A Community of Singers
Since 1919, the Palmerston North Choral Society has brought singers together through a shared love of choral music. From traditional works to contemporary compositions, we continue to create memorable musical experiences for audiences throughout the Manawatū.
Our Talents
Our Music Team
William McElwee
BA(Hons) Eng, BSc (Math), BMus and PGDip Performance Voice (Classical)
- Music Director
Conductor, singer, and all-round musician William McElwee has a busy and varied career. Alongsidedirecting Palmerston North Choral Society, he is currently Director of Music of Youth PhilharmonicTauranga and St Mary of the Angels Church (Wellington), and his recent freelance conductingengagements have included work with Wellington Comic Opera, Days Bay Opera, Tauranga CivicChoir, Rotorua District Choir, Bay of Plenty Symphonia, and Bay of Plenty Youth Brass. He has sungoperatic roles with NZ Opera, Days Bay Opera, and Eternity Opera, Days Bay Opera. He is a memberof Queens Closet early music ensemble in Wellington, was a founding member of the NZ LuteQuartet, and is an acknowledged expert on Gregorian Chant. His side-quests include composition,arrangement, and playing wind and brass instruments.
Myra Smith
M.A Hons L.R.S.M Piano and Organ. Dip Tchg. AIRMT – Collaborative Pianist
Myra is an accomplished musician, accompanist, music teacher and choir director as well as a member of PNCS. Myra grew up in Whangarei, beginning piano lessons and singing in a choir from an early age. She studied music at Canterbury University while receiving advanced piano tuition and accepted her first role as an official choir accompanist for a local women’s choir.
Following teacher training and alongside family commitments she continued choral singing and piano accompanying. Further tuition in singing and the pipe organ led to teaching music full-time at Manurewa High School as well as acting as accompanist and rehearsal conductor of South Auckland Choral Society for around 20 years. She was guest conductor for both the Pakuranga Choral Society, and the Franklin Community Choir in addition to being a church organist.
Since moving to Palmerston North in 2012, Myra has been an itinerant music teacher in two local high schools which included conducting PN Girls High School choir Cantatrices for 6 years.
Our People
Our Committee & Patrons
Our committee, patron and vice-patrons provide invaluable support and guidance to the Palmerston North Choral Society, helping us to continue sharing the joy of choral music in our community.
Sue Brown
President
John Chittenden
Secretary
Robert van Bentum
Treasurer
Myra Smith
Member
Patron
Jenny Boyack
Vice-Patrons
Guy Donaldson • Graham Parsons • Roy Tankersley
Music Available to Hire
Looking for choral music for your choir? Explore our music catalogue to see the works available to hire from the Palmerston North Choral Society.