Feb
28
Professor Peter Godfrey, Father of New Zealand Choral Music
Feb
28
Six choirs, including over 200 singers and soloist Janey MacKenzie, celebrate the life and leadership of Professor Peter Godfrey CBE, with introductions by Christine Argyle and addresses by Peter Averi, John Rosser and Simon Bowden.
Professor Peter Godfrey Photo: Jay Berryman
Born in England in 1922, Peter Godfrey was educated at King’s College in Cambridge. During the Second World War he served as a Captain in the King’s African Rifles. He later returned to Cambridge University to continue his studies, then attended the Royal College of Music and was Music Master at various schools and Director of Music at Marlborough College. In 1958, Peter came to New Zealand to take up the position of Lecturer in Music at Auckland University, which he held from 1958-1973, later becoming Professor of Music (1974-1982).
In his address at the Memorial Service, long-time friend and collaborator Peter Averi said:
“Looking back over Peter’s life, his inexhaustible energy and encouragement never […]