The Seraphim Choir

The Seraphim Choir of Chilton Saint James School is the premier auditioned choir of Chilton Saint James School.  With members aged between 14 and 18, the Seraphim choir has enjoyed success within New Zealand and on the international stage.

2011 saw the Seraphim Choir travel to Europe to sing in the Rhapsody Children's Music Festival, a touring choral festival for youth choirs from all over the world.  The trip took them to Vienna, Salzburg and Prague where they sang to great acclaim.  Singing Mass at the high altar in St Peter's Basilica in Rome was the highlight of the trip.

The choir features consistently in the annual New Zealand Secondary Schools Big Sing Choral Festival, winning numerous awards at Regional and National Finale level, including Best performance of New Zealand 20th Century Art Music, best Popular and Musical Theatre and best pre -20th century Classical categories.

In 2007 the choir travelled to Czech Republic to compete in the Bohuslav Martinu International Choir Festival Competition in Pardubice, near Prague, winning five Silver medals in various choral classes. From there, the Seraphim choir represented New Zealand for the 90th Anniversary Commemorations of World War One at Messines and Passchendaele.  The Seraphim Choir sang before Queen Elizabeth of England, the Queen of the Belgians and other Heads of State at these principal ceremonies.   

The Seraphim Choir performs regularly at civic and community events such as Wellington Cup Race Day, corporate functions and weddings, as well as on special occasions at Parliament and Government House in Wellington.

The choir is directed by Ella Buchanan Hanify who is also Head of Music at Chilton.  Ella composes and arranges music regularly for the Chilton Choirs and other ensembles.  Ella also  enjoys a broad musical career as a pianist, singer and musical director.  Ella has been the musical director for the Wellington Schools Music Festival Artsplash for the last 6 years, conducting massed children’s choirs of 800 students in the MFC in each of 5 or 6 concerts.

 The choir enjoys singing a wide range of musical styles including sacred, classical, jazz, musical theatre, 20th century and New Zealand compositions.  New Zealand compositions that feature regularly in their repertoire are compositions and arrangements by their director Ella Buchanan Hanify and also Ella’s sister, well known composer, Dorothy Buchanan.

 The choir is delighted to be accompanied by the well- known Wellington pianist, Hugh McMillan.  The Seraphim Choir CD, which is produced annually provides an opportunity to hear the Choir in action.