Choir founder motivated by the love of music

CHORAL DEVOTEE: Basil Brooker's musical efforts which span a total of 45 years have been acknowledged with a Queen's Service Medal. Photo/Duncan Brown.

Linden Singers founding director Basil Brooker has made the 2017 New Years Honours list for his services to music that span more than four decades long.

Awarded a Queen's Service Medal (QSM), Mr Brooker founded the Hastings Madrigal Singers (now Linden Singers) in 1971 and has been the conductor, chairman and organiser of the choir ever since.

"I never set out to get awards. It's nice that people notice my efforts though ... I love doing it and I do it for fun," he said.

Originally from Wellington, Mr Brooker said he moved to Hawke's Bay with his late wife in 1969 where he struggled to find any "worthwhile" choirs to join.

"I was a singer in two church choirs in Wellington but when I moved here I couldn't find a decent choir," he said.

After two years of self-described "moaning" Mr Brooker chuckled as he recalled his wife telling him "for god's sake start your own choir".

And Mr Brooker did just that, and hasn't looked back since.

Having organised concerts since he was just 21 years old Mr Brooker is well practised in choral production and has trained more than 200 singers around the region.

When asked if he has a favourite memory of his musical experiences Mr Brooker reflected on one of the first concerts he organised in 1962.

"We had maybe two or three hundred choristers and the trick was to get them all in their seats. They came from five different entrances and it was a thrill to watch them all file in and get to the right places," he said.

Mr Brooker's lengthy list of musical achievements include organising more than 90 musical programmes, 150 concerts, numerous media performances, tours around New Zealand, guest artists and advertising - all for the love of music.

"It's a team game and I think people enjoy working in teams. I tell my choirs there is no room for private enterprise, it's not a choir of soloists," he said.

A chartered accountant by trade, Mr Brooker said his retired life now leaves even more time for him to continue his musical endeavours and he doesn't plan on slowing down anytime soon.