Vicki resigns from Community Choir

By Winfred Bull

Vicki Jones has been the conductor of the Martinborough Community Choir for over 10 years. She has decided now that the time has come to resign.

Vicki emailed choir members saying “our informal concert on December 6 is going to be my last ever concert as leader of the Martinborough Community Choir. The past 2-3 years have been quite difficult, with lockdowns necessitating extended choir breaks, and subsequent sporadic attendance. My decision was not taken lightly”.

Well-liked and respected by the choir, members have been saddened by the news. Vicki is to be admired for her willingness and stamina, keeping the choir going with the curve balls sent her way, not least the being the Covid pandemic.

Vicki has had a rich and satisfying history with the choir. Her retirement as Sub Principal (2) Bass player for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra coincided with the departure of Jancis Potter who was the conductor for the Martinborough choir of the day, The Midday Singers. 

Learning that there were people who missed group singing when that choir ceased, Vicki decided to give conducting a go. “I had no choir leading experience whatsoever” but she was brilliant with a choir which she says, “came along with different expectations and strengths; some people just wanted to have a sing with friendly people; some were keen to improve their vocal and listening skills; some read music fluently, others just a little, or maybe not at all”.

With her professional orchestra experience, Vick began to upskill the choir to listen intently to others and try to blend in with them, observe all dynamic markings, strive for great accuracy of rhythm and pitch, to watch the conductor and to start and finish together.

 She says, “it has been an interesting challenge for me to encourage the choir to work as a team”. That Vicki succeeded in bringing the choir to public performance level for community concerts each year is a credit to her.

Vicki brought to the choir enthusiasm “I really enjoyed our weekly practices, preparing for concerts and getting to know the choir members”. She paid tribute to choir member, John Monro not only for his singing but for making computer-generated practice MP3s for the separate vocal parts of the 4-part harmony pieces sung by the choir. This allowed members to practice at home.

The choir were delighted when Vicki asked accomplished choral expert, Mark Dorrell, to be choir patron. Mark was pleased to accept. The choir were privileged to experience several workshops taken by Mark. Other experiences for the choir provided by Vicki were the opportunity to be part of the Wairarapa Vocal Spectacular, to sing alongside The Wairarapa Singers and to participate in other choral workshops.

Vicki hopes someone will revive the choir and find a new leader, “it is full of friendly people”. In the meantime, the time freed up by not being involved with the choir has already been spoken for. Among other things, Vicki is co-artistic director of the Martinborough Music Festival, teaches piano, cello and bass, plays cello in The Martinborough String Quartet, and “enjoys playing scrabble, painting and doing as little as possible at times”.

Thankyou Vicki Jones for your leadership of the Martinborough Community Choir and the pleasure you have given its members and community over the years.