Godzone Hymns are innovators in composing, publishing and licensing New Zealand hymns. The term "Godzone" comes from New Zealanders' belief that we live in God's own country, a term first used in 1865 in the USA. It was popularized in New Zealand in the 1890s. The modern colloquial spelling Godzone started to become standardized in the 1970s and has now replaced the earlier usage.

Bill Ahlers plays the flute and recorder. He is inspired to compose by ethnic music and jazz. A former research scientist in environmental hydrogeochemistry who has worked both in NZ and Australia, he is now the webmaster for Godzone Hymns. He loves to sing as a tenor in Poiema Voices. He was choir librarian at S. Michael & All Angels 1996-2004.

Jane Simpson is a Christchurch poet, composer, historian and sometime university lecturer in Religious Studies. Her poems have been published in some of the leading journals in New Zealand and Australia. Her first collection is Candlewick kelp (2002). Jane has sung, written poems and played the violin from childhood. She started writing poetry and music together in August 2000. Last year Jane and Bill received a $1000 grant from the New Zealand Hymnbook Trust to write more hymns.

Jane and Bill set up Godzone Hymns as a couple in late 2000. Together with their ten-year-old son Francis, they were members of S. Michael & All Angels, Christchurch New Zealand. S. Michael's is an innovative Anglo-Catholic parish and is part of the network of inclusive 'Affirming Catholic' parishes within the worldwide Anglican communion. As Quakers, Bill and Jane attended Meetings for Worship in both New Zealand and Australia for some ten years. They enjoy sharing wilderness experiences with Francis especially going out in the dinghy in the Lyttelton Harbour.

Barry Brinson is a freelance pianist and organist, composer and musical director. He is a former lay clerk of Christchurch Cathedral and director of the Cathedral Singers. Barry currently works part-time for the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts as lecturer and repetiteur.

Chris Graham is a conductor and piano teacher who works mainly as a teacher of English as a second language. He is a freelance piano soloist and accompanist. He has conducted Poiema Voices since their first performance last July and is directing the recordings for their forthcoming CD. Chris is a guest conductor at S. Michael and All Angels.

Denis Guyan is sought after nationally for his choral writing. He plays the organ and directs choirs: St Barnabas Anglican Church (Fendalton), Schola Cantorum, the Garden City Male Voice Choir, and is deputy conductor of the Jubilate Singers. He has directed church music seminars throughout the country.

Peter Low is a Christchurch musician, specialising in harpsichord, and a wordsmith (Senior Lecturer in French at the University of Canterbury). He has made constructive suggestions about both the words and music of these hymns and songs. Peter’s piano and organ accompaniments show a range of musical influences, from the Baroque to the modern. He is a Quaker.

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This page last updated: 10 November, 2005 12:43 PM
bill@godzonehymns.com



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