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The New Zealand Youth Choir has achieved considerable success since its formation in 1979. Performances around New Zealand and eight international tours have firmly established the choir’s reputation for consistency, energy and excellence.

In 1992 the Choir won the Silver Rose Bowl in the ‘Let the People Sing’ competition as the best choir in a field of 26 choirs from 15 countries. The Choir represented New Zealand at the 3rd World Choral Symposium in Vancouver in 1993 as part of a five-week North American tour, and in 1996 the choir toured to Australia, appearing at the 4th World Choral Symposium in Sydney.

In 1996 and 1998 the Choir provided backing vocals on the two ENZSO album releases and was involved in ENZSO’s tours with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Split Enz and other leading New Zealand singers.

In 1999 the New Zealand Youth Choir celebrated its 20th anniversary in Wellington with a concert with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra followed by an anniversary concert in the Wellington Town Hall, featuring Voices New Zealand and a massed choir of many graduate singers.

One of the Choir’s greatest achievements was during its five-week international tour to Europe in June and July 1999. The highlight of this tour was winning the ‘Choir of the World’ title at the International Music Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales. A week later they also won the ‘Grand Prix Slovakia’. The tour also included Ireland, the Czech Republic, Vienna, London and Singapore.

In March 2001 the Choir undertook an international tour to Texas in the USA, having received an invitation to perform at the biannual convention of the American Choral Directors’ Association.

2002 performances included Rachmaninov’s The Bells with the NZSO and Voices New Zealand, in the NZ International Festival, and Mahler’s 2nd Symphony with the Auckland Philharmonia, TOWER Voices NZ and the NZ Secondary Students Choir.

In 2003 the Choir visited and performed concerts in Auckland, Orewa, Kerikeri, Whangarei, Blenheim, Christchurch and New Plymouth. During this time they recorded a new cd, Gaude, which was released to critical acclaim in June 2004. Gaude was nominated as a finalist in the Best Classical Album category at the 2005 NZ Music Awards.

In November 2003 some members of the Choir sang in the world premiere of the Lord of the Rings Symphony with the NZSO, conduced by Howard Shore.

In July 2004, on their tour of Europe, New Zealand Youth Choir achieved highest marks in several categories at the 43rd International Choral Competition in Gorizia, Italy. Awards included Best Conductor at Competition for conductor Dr Karen Grylls, and Best Performance of an Unpublished Work (composed by Anna Griffiths, a member of the Youth Choir.)

The 2005-07 New Zealand Youth Choir toured to all corners of New Zealand to rehearse, present schools workshops, and perform concerts. In June/July 2007 the Choir toured internationally to Canada, the UK and Spain. During this tour they performed concerts in Toronto, Niagara Falls, London and Barcelona, participated in Festival 500 in Newfoundland, and competed in international choral competitions in Llangollen, Wales and Cantonigros, Spain. The Choir achieved podium placings in both competitions, including a first place in the Mixed Choir section in Cantonigros.

The present Choir was selected from auditions held nationwide in December 2007, and includes returning members from the award-winning 2007 Choir, as well as new singers. During 2008 the Choir will tour to Taupo, Hastings, Auckland, Dargaville, Kerikeri, New Plymouth and Hawera.

The New Zealand Youth Choir’s Artistic Director is Dr Karen Grylls.