Taking Off _{by Madelaine Empson}

Herbert Zielinski started singing at just eight years old as a founding member of Wellington Young Voices. Of what spurred his passion for music – and from such a young age – Zielinski feels “very lucky” to have been surrounded by musicians all his life.

“My mum and stepmum both sing or have sung in choirs for decades, my dad is a singer and guitarist, and I joined Wellington Young Voices with my twin sister”, he tells me. “I suppose it was the sense of community from the choir, the fact that you’re part of something larger than yourself, and the result is so moving for singers and audiences alike. From then I was lucky enough to get singing and piano lessons, propelling me through wonderful music experiences to be where I am today.”

Where he is today is worth celebrating. Zielinski, a classical singer at The New Zealand School of Music – Te Kōkī, has been awarded a scholarship as the Tenor Choral Scholar at the grand and gothic Wells Cathedral in the UK.

Starting in September, “The job means singing eight services a week, each with new music and very little time to learn it. I’ll be singing music from the Medieval period up to the present, in Latin, German, French, and Italian as well as English”, he delights, noting many more exciting tasks, learning opportunities, and adventures in store.

Before Zielinski departs, he will perform a farewell concert based around the song cycle Taking Off by Aotearoa composer Janet Jennings, adapted from the late Kiwi poet Brian Turner’s book of the same name. Supported by Creative NZ and with Kathryn Mosley accompanying on piano, Zielinski will sing at St Andrew’s on the Terrace on Saturday the 14^th of June at 7pm.