CQU's Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music is bringing Christopher Kiver (pictured) from the United States to Australia to guest conduct Rockhampton’s 4th annual Night of the Proms.

Due to the special talents and audience appeal which Kiver exhibits, the Conservatorium has secured RCotA (Regional Centre of the Arts) funding to cover travel expenses for his visit.

Kiver is considered to be one of a few elite conductors who can bring together a cast of over 100 musicians and choristers, to produce one of the most enjoyable shows seen in our city.

Originally from England, Kiver knows too well how to rouse an audience, having performed in many of the very popular Proms concerts held in London’s Royal Albert Hall each year.

This year’s show will feature well-loved classics such as Summertime, You’ll Never Walk Alone and Come Back to Sorrento and many others. Soloists include soprano Louise Kennedy from Brisbane, Dimitri Kopanakis, Meghan Tait, Linda Coombes and Lachlan Scheuber.

Night of the Proms is being held at Pilbeam Theatre on Sunday August 31 at 7pm. Audience members are encouraged to book early, as last year’s show almost sold out. ENDS For details or to arrange interview with Christopher, call Michelle Ilott on 0418 758 624 .

BIOGRAPHY Christopher Kiver: English born, Christopher has a Bachelor of Music Degree from London University and a Masters Degree in Choral Conducting from Florida State University under the instruction of Rodney Eichenberger. He has received numerous prizes and scholarships including the Alan J Kirby Choral Conducting Prize, Ricordi Conducting Prize, and a Fulbright Award. Christopher was recipient of the 2002 Sydney Symposium Choral Foundation Scholarship. In England, he conducted a number of choirs in radio broadcasts for the BBC. He was one of eight conductors from around the world selected to conduct in masterclasses with Stefan Parkman and Frieder Bernius at the Fourth World Choral Symposium in Sydney in 1996. Based in Brisbane, Australia for the last 6 years, Christopher was Music Director of the Brisbane Chorale and Brisbane Concert Choir at St Andrew’s. In 2000, these two choirs joined forces for a critically acclaimed performance of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis with The Queensland Orchestra. In 2001, Christopher made his debut conducting the Queensland Pops Orchestra, conducted the 120 voice Intervarsity Choral Festival Choir in Adelaide and was conductor of the 1000 voice Massed Choir performing at the Opening Gala Concert of the Goodwill Games. At Brisbane Boys’ College (1996-2002) he was Director of Vocal/Choral Activities and taught voice and classroom music. Christopher has held positions as a part-time lecturer in choral music at the University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology. He is a former State President of the Australian National Choral Association (ANCA) in Queensland and a former member of the ANCA National Council. He was Co-Convenor of Choralfest, the ANCA National Convention held in Brisbane in October 2002. Christopher has presented workshops at national conventions for ANCA, ASME and the RSCM as well as for the International Summer Schools in Choral Conducting in Wellington, Auckland and Brisbane. He was Founder/Director of the Inaugural Men of Song Festival of Male Voices in May 2000 which featured the University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club as the guest choir. Christopher is currently studying for a Doctoral degree in choral conducting at the University of Michigan under the instruction of Jerry Blackstone. He conducts the University of Michigan Arts Chorale and is Musical Director at the First Baptist Church of Ann Arbor.