12th World Symposium on Choral Music

Robert Wiremu

NA TE WAHA KI TE WAHAROA—THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VOICE AND PLACE

Country: Aotearoa

In this presentation conductor Robert Wiremu will explore the Symposium theme of he tangata, he whenua (the people and the land) and focus on the relationship between voice and place, specifically in relation to Aotearoa (New Zealand).


Robert Wiremu is a Professional Teaching Fellow at the University of Auckland. He studied at Victoria University, the University of Auckland and Queensland Conservatory of Music.

Recent collaborations include An Evening with Simon O’Neill, NZ’s own international Wagnerian star, Kiri and Friends (training the chorus for a concert at Vector Arena as part of the Rugby World Cup, 2011 festival featuring Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra); celebrated New Zealand artist Michael Parekowhai, on the launch of his entry for the Venice Art Biennale, On First Looking Into Chapman’s Homer; The Island Chai concert series with Aivale Cole, Benjamin Makisi, Anna Pierard and Phil Rhodes at the Auckland Museum, a concert for the union heads of the Rugby World Cup, 2011. He was artistic director of the V8 Vocal Ensemble, training the group for two performances of Berio’s Sinfonia with James Judd and the NZSO. Robert was formerly conductor of the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir and voice clinician for the New Zealand Youth Choir and National Chamber Choir (Voices NZ).