Orbits

Neotectonic Vocal Ensemble invites you to ‘Orbits’, our first concert for 2024 in collaboration with Tours by Starlight. 

Taking inspiration from celestial themes, this concert will feature musical settings of texts about the night, sun, moon, stars, and sky. Works include two settings of “O Nata Lux” by Tallis and Lauridsen, Wilbye’s madrigal “Draw on Sweet Night”, a setting of “Ave Maris Stella” by medieval composer Guillaume Dufay, and “Matariki” by Aotearoa composer Chris Artley.  

Other composers in the mix include MacMillan, Gjeilo, Robinovitch, LaVoy, Meredith Monk, and more. We’re looking forward to being joined by collaborative pianist Matthew Spooner for our accompanied pieces.  

Woven between musical items you’ll hear expert commentary on all things astronomy by Chris Mathur-Hollis from Tours by Starlight. Following the concert will be an opportunity for the audience to partake in some guided stargazing! 

Neotectonic are especially excited as this is their first concert with newly appointed artistic director Blake Scanlen. 

Adult $30 | Concession (Unwaged/Student/Retired) $20 | Child under 10 FREE 

Purchase tickets through Humanatix or buy on the door (cash only or bank transfer).

Please note that guided stargazing/telescope viewings after the concert will be dependent on clear weather.

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Neotectonic Vocal Ensemble is a group of old friends and new faces brought together by a love for choral music. They were founded in 2021 and since then have broadly focused on singing early and contemporary music though often with all sorts in between. Their previous concerts presented repertoire ranging from Byrd, Morley, and Tallis, through to Alex Taylor, Caroline Shaw, and Howard Skempton. 

Blake Scanlen | Artistic Director 

Matthew Spooner | Guest Collaborative Pianist 

Marama Butler, Sophie van-Waardenberg, Leilani Walker | Soprano 

Elani Austin-Tennant, Britta Hamill, Sabrina Mathur-Hollis | Alto

Thomas Scott, Tim Stevenson, Max Wilson | Tenor 

Oliver Bramah, Quillan Denton, Blake Scanlen, Peter Simpson | Bass

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Tours by Starlight was created to bring the night sky to anybody and everybody. The night sky is available to everyone and is filled with wonders for everyone to see. We specialize in bringing to life the stories and science of the sky to people down here on Earth, wherever they happen to be.