Information

CBS Junior Choir

Although the CBS Junior Choir is in recess, this page documents its formation and early years.

Membership was open to -

all boys and girls aged about 8 - 13

CBS Junior Choir offered all Christchurch boys and girls expert instruction in reading music, voice production, and public performance. The choir sang the 9 a.m. Mass on the last Suunday of each month at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral, and other venues by invitation. In association with the parent CBS Choir and Orchestra, it offered opportunities to share in major concerts, and recordings for CD and TV, in specially designed choir uniforms.

Musical Direction

CBS Junior Choir Director was Josephine Oorschot, who has had may years of success in motivating children in school choirs to achieve their best potential. Josephine trained as a church organist / musician, and trained orchestras at Catholic Cathedral College for several years. She encouraged her talented daughters to progress into national choir representaion, from their Villa Maria College formation.

The musical team was headed by Don Whelan who has been Musical Director of the Cathedral for 50 years. Following primary teacher training, and years teaching at Hornby and Aranui Primary Schools, he taught at Avonside GHS, Burnside HS, St Bede's College, and retired as HOD Music at Christchurch Boys' High School.