About Us...The OK Chorale 

The Palmerston North Boys High School elite singing group is called the OK Chorale. It consists of 12 males who sing extremely challenging pieces of music, ranging from Madrigals to Kings Singers pieces to parodies. The Chorale is fundamentally a choir which bases its performance on entertainment. The group, in its various forms has been coached to a National level on numerous occasions, most recently in 2001. The group has also won gold at these competitions on occasions, an award which has placed them in the top 5 choirs in the country. 

Currently trained, directed & managed by Mr. Graeme Young, the Head of Music at Palmerston North Boys High, the choir has much work to do before heading to Christchurch in early August to perform in the National Choral Finale, now known as "The Big Sing". The choir must present 2 repertoires of 10 minutes each in length - a big ask for a choir whose presentation at the regional festival was just over 4 minutes long. The results of this years competition will be placed on the website after the OK Chorale has returned from Christchurch.

This year, however, many believe that the comeraderie between all of the members of the group is what has made them so successful. In previous years, the group has been disjointed and has often been reserved in the company of each other. Nowadays, the group understands the commitment required to excell and is functioning well as a unit.

Upcoming performances before the competition will give the boys confidence to go to the National Choral competition with, but the biggest effort will have to come from the guys themselves in the learning of their music.      

Congratulations to the OK Chorale for their successs at the National Choral Finale - the group was one of 5 to win a gold award and the only all-male choir to gain this accolade.

The group has almost wound up for 2001, but before we say goodbye to leaving members and welcome new ones, the OK Chorale of 2001 has a CD which is going to be released. There is only going to be 120 copies made, so if you want a momento of the sound of the OK Chorale in 2001, place your order either at the PNBHS School Office or see Mr Graeme Young (HOD Music @ PNBHS).

The Chorale wishes to thank everyone who has supported the guys this year - a very special year in the history of the group.

The returning members also would like to thank David Shanhun and Ben Kendrew (leaving members) who have made big contributions to the group this year. We wouldn't have done it without all your help and we wish you luck for the future.

The OK Chorale for 2002 has been all-but decided, with all of 2001s members returning minus the 2 school-leavers. We welcome David Monk & Choon-Wi Cheang into the group (2002 6th Formers) and also Tim Herbert (5th Former), and they will joined by one or two other new members of the group who are currently undecided. The group will be busy preparing for the Palmerston North Boys High School Centenary in Term 1 of 2002, with many Chorale members also involved in the school production in March of Fiddler On The Roof. The group will also be focussing, of course, on the Big Sing 2002, with the regional final being held in early Term 2.