New Zealand Youth Choir
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 Peoples 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 1999 the New Zealand Youth Choir celebrated its 20th anniversary in Wellington with a concert with the NZSO followed by an anniversary concert in the Wellington Town Hall, featuring Voices NZ 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 been invited to perform at the biannual convention of the American Choral Directors’ Association.
The Choir recorded a new CD, Gaude, which was released to critical acclaim in June 2004. Gaude was nominated as finalist in the Best Classical Album category at the 2005 NZ Music Awards.
In July 2004, on their tour of Europe, the 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 Awards included Best Conductor at Competition for conductor Dr Karen Grylls, and Best Performance of an Unpublished Work (composed by Anna Griffiths, a member of the Youth Choir).
Recently the 2005-2007 Choir returned from an award-winning tour through Canada, the UK and Spain, taking podium placings at two International Choral Competitions in Llangollen, Wales and Cantonigros, Spain, including winning the Mixed Choir category in Spain.
The present Choir of 51 singers was selected from auditions held nationwide in December 2007, and includes returning members from the award-winning 2005-07 Choir, as well as new singers. During 2008 the Choir toured to Taupo, Hastings, Auckland, Dargaville, Kerikeri, Hawera and New Plymouth.
2009 is the New Zealand Youth Choir’s 30th Anniversary year. During this year the Choir has toured to Invercargill, Gore and Dunedin, Kapiti, Palmerston and Wellington, and will also tour to Warkworth and Auckland.
