Two New Zealand RSCM leading musicians have been honoured by RSCM HQ. The announcement was made in the June 2022 Church Music Quarterly (CMQ) [pages 26 & 27].
David Brookes, Chairman of the Waikato Branch, gained an Associateship (ARSCM) for his long-time outstanding services to the RSCMNZ from his role in the RSCMNZ Inc Council, as well as with Branch Chairmanship duties and organising Summer Choir Schools and numerous church and choir events wherever he was stationed. His valedictory is displayed below.
ASSOCIATES OF THE ROYAL SCHOOL
OF CHURCH MUSIC (ARSCM)
Awarded for achievements in church music and/or
liturgy of nationally recognised significance, or for
important musical and/or liturgical work within the
RSCM that has had an impact across several Area Teams.
David Brookes
For over 30 years David Brookes has given dedicated
service to the RSCM in New Zealand, specifically in
the Auckland area where he was Branch Chairman for
18 years. During this period he organised numerous
events, workshops and courses, especially the highly
successful International Summer School in Auckland.
More recently, following a move to Matamata, where
his influence and enthusiasm have transformed
church music in the area, he now leads the Waikato
Branch as Chairman.
At St Peter’s Anglican Cathedral in Hamilton an RSCM Choral Evensong 5.00pm Sunday 24 July 2022 David Brookes was formally presented with his parchment by RSCMNZ President Paul Ellis.
Murray Lennox, of Christchurch, is the first ever in NZ to receive the recently instituted Nicholson Award. It is so named to honour the founder in 1927 of what is now known as the Royal School of Church Music. His valedictory reads:
NICHOLSON AWARD
Awarded for significant administrative work as a
voluntary officer or member of staff within the RSCM;
or an award for a significant contribution to church
music and/or liturgy at a local RSCM Area level.
Murray Lennox
From a singing career which began at the age of seven,
Murray Lennox has taken leading roles in concerts in
Gisborne and Christchurch, and broadcast on Radio
New Zealand and TVNZ, as well as conducting major
choir festivals in Christchurch. He has also served as
Director of Music at Oxford Terrace Baptist Church
and All Souls Anglican Church, Merrivale, and has
composed a number of choral works which have
been performed locally and nationally.
RSCMNZ President presented Murray with his RSCM NA Award at the Canterbury Branch RSCM Music Sunday ceremony which is observed world-wide. Our Canterbury Branch event took place at 2.00pm Sunday 19 June 2022 at the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Victories 106 Main South Road Sockburn Christchurch. The festive occasion comprised singing for all comers together with musical interludes. These included Jubilee a motet by Christchurch composer, Barbara Maguire, for Organ (Denis Guyan) Baritone (Matthew Harris) and Apollo Musicum Strings, a performance of César Franck’s Panis Angelicus sung by Boy Treble Theo Holcroft, accompanied by Apollo String Quartet and a massed singing of the Anthem In Our Service which the RSCM HQ commissioned Thomas H Jones to compose for performance as part of Jubilee festivities world-wide. It was our opportunity to celebrate and honour Queen Elizabeth II in relation to the 70th (Platinum) Anniversary of Her Majesty’s enthronement.