Choir changes key for all that jazz

Jazz fans have the opportunity to enjoy a day out and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Rotorua District Choir this weekend.
The choir will perform two concerts on Saturday and Sunday at St Luke's Church, as well as have a special 50th anniversary celebratory dinner at Kingsgate Hotel Rotorua for current and past choir members.
Rotorua District Choir conductor Evelyn Falconer said the group had been practising for the past three months and were looking forward to presenting an enjoyable evening to the public.
"It has been challenging for the choir to get used to jazz music, because they normally play a lot of traditional music, but they have risen to the challenge really well and I think they will perform well," she said.
Rotorua District Choir member Dianne Estcourt has 21 years' experience in the choir and said the concerts would be good exposure to a period of jazz music that had not been heard a lot in Rotorua. She strongly encouraged those who were interested in joining the choir to attend.
"We are always looking for new members, so come along and have some fun," she said.
The concert cost $15 per person and will start at 7.30pm on Saturday and 2pm on Sunday. Past Rotorua District Choir members interested in taking part in the dinner at the Kingsgate Hotel on Sunday at 6pm must contact Dianne Estcourt before tomorrow afternoon, phone (07) 345 6884, or email Margaret Callaghan on mar-bet@xtra.co.nz