Christchurch Terror Attack: American choir perform spine-tingling tribute of 'Pokarekare Ana'

Publish Date
Friday, 15 March 2019, 2:20PM

One of the world's best choirs has shared a heartfelt version of Pokarekare Ana they previously recorded with a Kiwi group following the Christchurch mosque attacks.

The US choir from California, Westminster Chorus, is a former "Choir of the World" Pavarotti Trophy winner and has toured twice around New Zealand, including Christchurch.

On Saturday, the choir shared a video on Facebook of their rendition of the Māori love song, singing alongside Wellington's Vocal FX Chorus in Orlando last July.

"Sharing this moment with our brothers from New Zealand was an incredible experience. We love you Barbershop Harmony New Zealand #KiaKaha," they captioned the video.

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Westminister Chorus said they learned the song in 2014 when they were first invited to New Zealand.

"We have kept in our repertoire since and used it again in shows when we toured a second time in New Zealand in 2017," they said.

The US choir revealed when they toured New Zealand they were fortunate enough to stay on a marae and that they fell in love with our culture.

"Our hearts go out to all of our New Zealand brothers and sisters in the wake of this horrible tragedy," they said.

"We are very close with our brothers in the vocal FX Wellington chorus and consider New Zealand a second home to us musically.

"Just as we immediately found brotherhood and unity when New Zealand opened its arms to us in the past, we have no doubt that love and harmony will prevail and connect us all in time. We will be singing Pokarekare Ana and sending out its message from across the ocean with hope for a peaceful future for all."

 

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission.

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