With a solid base of singers and a committed, experienced musical director at the helm, Edgecumbe Choir is thriving.

Chalium Poppy, who took on the role of musical director almost seven years ago, was drawn to the choir after hearing about their need for a new conductor through a friend. With a multifaceted career as a singer, organist, conductor, accompanist, lecturer, musical commentator, and teacher, Poppy brought a wealth of experience and passion to the role.

In addition to leading the Edgecumbe Choir, he serves as the artistic and musical director of the Scholars Baroque Aotearoa Choir – which is performing in Whakatāne next month for the first time – and as the organist and choirmaster at St Peter’s Anglican Church.

When Poppy joined The Edgecumbe Choir, it was at a critical juncture, with a 60-year history but in need of new leadership.

His goal has always been to elevate the choir's performance and enhance their singing quality. "I like a challenge, and as soon as rehearsals start to feel like they are leveling off, it will be time for another conductor," Poppy said. “But as long as there is work for me, I am happy to do it because they are really a lovely group of people.”

He has found the Edgecumbe community to be exceptionally welcoming: “I have conducted many choirs, and I don't believe I have ever been received quite so warmly by a community, and that means a tremendous amount to me.”

The choir members share Poppy's dedication to improvement, with a genuine desire to refine their skills and reach new heights, he said.

To attract new audiences and maintain a high standard of singing, Poppy has chosen to focus on well-known and beloved choral works – Fauré's Requiemand Handel's Messiah featured at recent concerts.

“The choir needs to attract people and grow its audience. I have been deliberately selecting well-known choral works because history tells us that is what people like and come out to hear. I would very much like to explore more modern music, and I plan to do it in the future, but I am biding my time, building up the audience base.”

The choir has a solid base of 50 to 60 singers, with around 40 typically performing in concerts. They often perform at the Church of St George and St John; a venue Poppy praises for its excellent acoustics.

“It is a lovely building to sing in – very high ceilings, hardwood floors. The acoustics are very lively, and I enjoy that venue a lot.”

One of Poppy's key initiatives is a scholarship programme for young singers, offering them the opportunity to train and perform with the choir. He started this programme with the Scholars Baroque Choir: “It has ensured that my choir remains young. We are getting young people who are gaining experience in choral singing at a very high standard.”

The choir hopes that young singers from the Eastern Bay will take up this opportunity.

In addition, the choir is introducing a donor scheme to ensure its financial sustainability. More details about this can be found on the Edgecumbe Choir's website.

Poppy's musical journey began as a choirboy at Oxford's Christchurch Cathedral, where his father was choirmaster.

“As a choirboy, you are not just trained as a singer; you have to play the keyboard, take piano lessons, and study another instrument. For me, that was the organ.”

He later earned a master's degree in music in Vienna, Austria, followed by extensive performing and touring.

After tiring of constant travel, Poppy took a position for five years as choirmaster and organist in a Canadian cathedral. It was during this time that he met a New Zealander, and in 2009, they decided to move to New Zealand. "It wasn’t a country I knew much about, but we just got on a plane and moved,” he said.

Now, in addition to his work with the three choirs, Poppy continues to teach and is excited about their upcoming Whakatane concerts, F.J. Haydn’s Creation is on September 7 and 8, followed by the Scholars Baroque Aotearoa performing Schumann’s Requiem and Mendelssohn’s Psalm 42 on September 15. Both concerts are at The Church of St George and St John, Whakatāne.