MUSIC DIRECTOR Grant Hutchinson B.Sc. (Rand), Dip Mkt Man (Damelin), FTCL (organ), LTCL (organ), LRSM (organ), ATCL (singing)
Grant Hutchinson began his choral conducting career in 1984 as the Organist and Master of the Choristers at the historic St Mary’s Cathedral in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. In 1989, he was appointed conductor of the 80-voice Port Elizabeth Oratorio Choir, which performed regularly at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. In 1994, Grant founded “The Bay Singers”, a 16-voice ensemble which regularly recorded for the South African Broadcasting Association.
Grant was well known in his home town as a musical entrepreneur, assisting in first-time visits to Port Elizabeth by the likes of British organist Simon Preston and the choirs of Worcester Cathedral and St John’s College, Cambridge. A highlight was the first ever joint performance of an English Cathedral Choir in the African township of Kwazekhele, which received national television coverage.
After migrating to Christchurch with his wife and two children, Grant was Director of Music at St Michael’s Anglican Church from 1999 to 2007. This mixed 20-voice parish choir sings a weekly High Mass and Solemn Evensong, as well as performing around the city. As a change of pace, the choir gave performances of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury under Grant’s musical direction in 2004. They recorded two CD’s during his tenure.
In 2003, Grant recorded and produced a solo organ CD, Organ Rhapsody, at Christ Church Cathedral, also achieved the Fellowship of Trinity College, London that year. He has also given a number of organ recitals and accompanied services in Christchurch, Hamilton and Auckland Cathedrals. He was Chairman of the Royal School of Church Music (Canterbury Branch) from 2002 to 2006. In May 2006, he was appointed Music Director of the Jubilate Singers, succeeding John Pattinson.
A science and marketing management graduate, Grant worked in the pharmaceutical industry until the end of 2008, when he moved into the musical world full time as the New Zealand Choral Federation’s Chief Executive Officer. The Federation has as its central purpose the performance, creation and enjoyment of choral music, and represents the interests of over 13,000 members from 450 choirs and 500 individual memberships. Some of the NZCF’s national events include The Big Sing, The Choral Clinics and Sing Aotearoa Choral Festival.
ASSISTANT MUSIC DIRECTOR Denis Guyan B Mus, ANZIST, AIRMT, Dip Tchg
Denis was born in Auckland in 1941 and grew up in a musical family. He began playing the organ in his early teens. After working as a laboratory technician for nine years, he embarked on a music degree at Auckland University, where he was awarded the Hollinrake Scholarship.
As a secondary school music teacher he directed over a dozen seasons of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. He sang with the Auckland Bach Cantata Society and the internationally renowned Auckland Dorian Choir, travelling with them on concert tours to Fiji, Britain and Europe. He became their accompanist and deputy conductor under Karen Grylls.
Since his move to Christchurch 21 years ago he has continued serving as a church organist and choir director, currently at St Barnabas Anglican Church, Fendalton; as well as singing with the Jubilate Singers and being its assistant conductor. He has been a member of Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir, the nationally auditioned and internationally acclaimed adult chamber choir. He has presented a number of organ recitals in Christchurch and Auckland, and has led church music seminars throughout the country. He was selected by the New Zealand Choral Federation to be one of its workshop directors for beginner conductors. Denis conducted the Garden City Male Voice Choir for nine years; the Neerlandia Choir for five years; and the early music specialist choir Schola Cantorum more recently. He gives piano, organ and music theory lessons.
Denis is married to Cynthia and they have three daughters and six grandchildren.
Grant Hutchinson began his choral conducting career in 1984 as the Organist and Master of the Choristers at the historic St Mary’s Cathedral in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. In 1989, he was appointed conductor of the 80-voice Port Elizabeth Oratorio Choir, which performed regularly at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. In 1994, Grant founded “The Bay Singers”, a 16-voice ensemble which regularly recorded for the South African Broadcasting Association. 
Denis was born in Auckland in 1941 and grew up in a musical family. He began playing the organ in his early teens. After working as a laboratory technician for nine years, he embarked on a music degree at Auckland University, where he was awarded the Hollinrake Scholarship.