Auckland Choral Members in the Rugby World Cup 2011
Anthem Choirs

A number of Auckland Choral Members were selected in the Anthem Choirs to sing the National Anthems at the IRB Rugby World Cup 2011. We thought would would do a blog to share the experiences of our members. They will be able to submit some text and a selection of photos for this page, and we will add them as they are received.

1. Photos from the France v Japan match, 10 September 2011 at North Harbour Stadium.
"We all met together to rehearse the French and Japanese Anthems on Saturday morning; John Rosser observed while David Squire took us for the rehearsal. It was a chance to meet and greet, catch up with the other Auckland Choral participants and reacquaint with those whom we already knew. The excitement could be felt in the room and the expectation of an awesome day was right up there too! Later we assembled at our collection point and a spunky bus, similar to what the players travel on, arrived to take us to North Harbour Stadium. We had lots of time before the match and completed sound checks and a few walk-throughs of getting onto the field. Almost match time and while we were in the tunnel, both teams went past us, including legendary All Black and now Japan Coach John Kirwan, and the referees likewise. Time to walk onto the field to what was a ground record attendance at North Harbour Stadium, (over 28,400). The noise when the players came out was sensational and we were pumped! The Anthems were amazing and some of us stayed on to watch the match, crowd went insane when Japan was close to scoring! Such a memorable experience!" (Roger Hillman)
David Squire pictured here showcasing our changing room.
 		 The official Match Ball - each ball has the teams and date printed.
 		 The Choir all ready to go before the players run on to the field.
 
During the singing of the National Anthems with the French and Japan teams.
 		 The call of the Rugby World Cup:
"The World in Union."
 		 Rachel Harrison pictured here wearing the official Rugby World Cup scarf.
 
The Auckland Choral members involved in this match, left to right: Ming Wong, Roger Hillman, Setsuko Lichtnecker and Rachel Harrison.
 		 Ming Wong pictured here with the Rugby World Cup logo.
 French supporters after a try.
Japan supporters after they hit back with a try. French fans await the return of their team after the break. Scrum time under the watch of match referee Steve Walsh and Assistant Alain Rolland.
 

 
2. Photos from the England v Scotland match, 1 October 2011 at Eden Park.
"We all met together to rehearse the English and Scottish Anthems and we were all in anticipation for a battle of Braveheart proportions. Our rehearsal went well and we actually finished early so we had time to relax, cruise home and do our final preparations for our performance. We were all pumped as we walked out to a near packed Eden Park and the crowd was scattered with colour! The adrenaline made sure that the Anthems were flawless. All that was to remain was to sit back and enjoy this battle that would determine final placings in the Pool for the quarterfinals - the intensity of the match didn't disappoint!" (Roger Hillman)
David Squire pictured here getting instructions from the sound technicians.
 		 The fixture as indicated on the big screen at Eden Park.
 		 The flags enter the field during sound check while the Maori welcome is performed.
 
During sound check, the singing of the National Anthems of England and Scotland.
 		 The flags leave the field during the run-though.
 Anthem Choir chills out while we wait for a re-run of the Anthems.
 
End on view of Eden Park.
 Long view of the main stand at Eden Park.
 The call of the Rugby World Cup:
"The World in Union."
 
Underneath the stand at Eden Park. I thought this was quite interesting.
 		 Duelling flags! English and Scottish supporters battle it out with their respective flags - thought this was great!
 		 An English supporter with this great banner in the crowd!
 


3. Photos from the New Zealand v Argentina match (QF4), 9 October 2011 at Eden Park.
"We all met together to rehearse the Anthems for the Fourth Quarterfinal, being down to the final eight teams in the Tournament, we couldn't contain our excitement! With a few confirmations of pronunciation of words in the Argentinean Anthem and secure rehearsal of the New Zealand Anthem to absolutely make sure that it sounded top notch, we completed our rehearsal with a bit of time to spare. A couple of hours later we boarded our spunky bus to take us to Eden Park. With a few runs through at sound check we were all set! The excitement grew in the moment before we took the field and the atmosphere was electric! We stayed on and enjoyed the match; the dream ended for one team, but continued for another in their quest for World Cup glory." (Roger Hillman)
Our spunky bus to transport the Anthem Choirs from the collection point to Eden Park.
 		 Must feel amazing walking through here - the Players Entrance at Eden Park.
 		 David Squire pictured here while we wait for the Orchestration of the Anthems at sound check.
 
David Squire pictured here in fine form!
 The Anthem Choir during sound check.
 The Argentinean and New Zealand Flags during the sound check.
 
Auckland Choral tenor, Cameron Casey (middle) in a light hearted moment. "Come on guys, share the joke!"
 		 David Squire getting us warmed up just moments before we enter the playing field.
 Waiting in the tunnel before the Anthems.
The wonderful Eden Park, photo taken from the top of one of the stands.
 		 The wonderful Eden Park, photo taken from the top of one of the stands.
 		 One dream ends and another continues. All Black Brad Thorn consoles a dejected Santiago Fernandez (number 10) from Argentina.
 


4. Photos from the New Zealand v Australia match (SF2), 16 October 2011 at Eden Park.
"World cup glory would continue at tonight's match for one team and all that stood before those teams was eighty minutes of intense rugby! All members of the Anthem Choir had an extra aurora about them as we waited in anticipation for just prior to kickoff when we would perform the Anthems. By now, we had got to know many other participants from other match Choirs and it was great to catch up at our rehearsal in the afternoon. Prior to rehearsal, we were treated to a performance from the young Choir at the Church where we were meeting which sounded great and in turn, they listened to us. It wasn't long before we were on the bus and heading for Eden Park and the excitement was uncontainable! We had a few delays prior to sound check and we were joined by Elizabeth Marvelly and Nick Afoa as soloists to sing the Anthems with us. We had plenty of time to chill out before the performance of the Anthems and we were allowed into another larger room so we had more space to relax and chat. Soon it was time to return to underneath the main stand and receive our scarves and walk out onto the pitch. The noise was nothing that we have heard before, it was the loudest roars we had heard when the players entered the field! The Anthems were fantastic and our cool as volunteer guy, Gareth, let us stay out for a few minutes and we were able to see the first (and only) try of the match right in front of us, scored in spectacular fashion. Gareth also let us out with seven minutes remaining in the match to join in the crowd chanting 'Four more years'! which was fantastic. The NZCF Anthem Choir Project spearheaded by John Rosser (pictured below) has been a huge success and we ALL thank John for making this possible and such a memorable experience for all those participating and listening all around the world! Such a once in a lifetime experience!" (Roger Hillman)
The new main stand from a distance taken from our bus drop-off point.
 		 The new main stand at Eden Park welcomed us as we arrived in our bus.
 		 The Players Entrance at Eden Park; just to confirm we were definitely at the right place!
 
Anthem Choir waiting prior to sound check.
 Arthur (left) and Emaleigh (from Auckland Choral) pictured here, prior to the sound check.
 		 Arthur (left) and Emaleigh (from Auckland Choral) pictured here, during the sound check.
 
The Rugby World Cup Anthem Project, spearheaded by John Rosser, pictured here, has been a huge success, with compliments being received from around the world. We thank John for making this experience so special to us and to those listening all around the world!
 		 Members of the Anthem Choir singing their hearts out during sound check. "Save some voice for the performance ladies!"
 		 John Rosser pictured here conducting us during the sound check.
Richard pictured here full of concentration during the sound check.
 		 The Anthem Choir during sound check while we await the next run through of the orchestration by NZSO.
 		 Relaxing in the changing rooms.
 
John Rosser pictured here conducting us during the sound check.
 		 The Sign Language guys - we learned so much during our break from chatting with them and had such a great time.
 		 Auckland Choral member Emaleigh having a great time in our larger waiting room, prior to the performance of the Anthems.
 
The Anthem Choir await entry to the field to perform the New Zealand and Australian Anthems.
 		 We were able to stay back just after the performance of the Anthems and watch the All Black Haka and we were lucky to see the first and only try of the match, right in front of us!
 		 Introducing Arthur, one of the youngest members of the Anthem Choirs, who joined us for this match.
 
Robbie Deans (Coach of Australia) pictured here at the pre-game warm-ups.
 		 This New Zealand supporter showing his true colours with an All Black bear on his beanie.
 		 Post match celebrations at a nearby residence, showing us who they reckoned should be in the Final.