Knox Church Choir Hosts Fundraiser for National Choral Academy Members

Four young musicians from Bellingham need help paying for flights and hotel rooms. They will perform at a community concert this Sunday, November 1, to raise money for those specific travel expenses.

The four singers, Billie Hinch, Alice Smith, Alexa Choie, and Rishi Shantapriyan, started their musical careers in the Knox Church Junior Choir. They are now members of the Aotearoa Choral Academy, which operates one of New Zealand’s national choirs.

The academy requires members to travel to major cities for rehearsals and shows. The group has already attended events in Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington. The concert aims to offset the financial burden these trips place on their families.

Organizers named the event the “Cushion Concert” and scheduled it for 2 p.m. at Knox Church. Attendees will hear solos and duets from the four young singers. The performance will also feature pieces by the Knox Church Junior Choir, the Ōpoho Primary School Choir, and Logan Park High School’s UVox.

Local organ scholars Alexa Choie and Robbie Eyres will provide instrumental music. Organizers invited younger audience members to bring a cushion and sit near the front of the church for a better view. Entry is by donation, with suggested amounts of $5 for children, $10 for adults, and $25 for families.

The Knox Church Junior Choir is open to children aged six to 14 without an audition. The group rehearses weekly and sings in church services once a month. They also perform at special services, particularly during the Christmas season.