Choir Games - TV series coming soon!
Award-winning filmmaker Leanne Pooley’s inspiring Sky New Zealand Originals docu-series Choir Games comes to Sky Open & Neon this May.
Two choirs, one from New York City and the other from rural New Zealand, go on a joyful, life-changing journey to compete in the largest choral competition on earth, the World Choir Games
From the award-winning filmmaker of Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls, Beyond the Edge and Dame Valerie Adams: More Than Gold, Leanne Pooley ONZM, comes an inspiring documentary series Choir Games, premiering on Sky Open from 4 May at 7.30pm, with all episodes available to view on Neon and Sky Go from the same date.
The four-part series tells the story of two remarkable choirs, New Zealand’s Kaitāia Community Voices and New York’s Young People’s Chorus of New York City, as they embark on a life-changing journey to compete in the 2024 World Choir Games, held in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
The series follows the choirs from their first rehearsals to their climactic performances, revealing their common struggles, dreams, and unyielding resilience. It introduces viewers to the extraordinary conductors who serve as musical mentors and personal guides to their singers. These maestros must navigate a myriad challenges as they motivate their choirs to prepare for the competition and give it all they’ve got. Despite their contrasting backgrounds, both choirs are united by the joy that comes from singing some of the most beautiful songs ever written.
Sky New Zealand Originals Senior Commissioner Nick Ward says, “Sky New Zealand Originals is thrilled to team up with talented documentary filmmaker Leanne Pooley for Choir Games. She’s delivered a deeply moving and often hilarious series that shines a light on some truly extraordinary people and captures the power of song in uniting people. We can’t wait to share this heart-warming series with Aotearoa audiences.”
Series director Leanne Pooley says, “I can honestly say this is the most joyful story I’ve ever told. The power of music to change lives is incredibly inspiring. I really think the world needs a series like this just now.”
Choir Games will be available on Neon and Sky Go from Sunday 4 May, premiering on Sky Open at 7.30pm that evening. The series was made with the support of NZ On Air.
Follow the Choir Games journey on social here:
The pulling power of song - WCG2024 contributes nearly $20M in tourism expenditure
Young People’s Chorus of New York City © Jonas Persson
The biggest choral music event the country has ever hosted, the World Choir Games 2024 (WCG2024), contributed nearly $20M in national tourism expenditure to the country, new research has found.
From 10 to 20 July this year, the 13th World Choir Games (WCG), presented in partnership with the global organising body INTERKULTUR and local partners New Zealand Choral Federation, New Zealand Major Events, and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, brought Tāmaki Makaurau alive with song. Over 11,000 singers in 250 choirs and groups from over 42 countries descended on the city to perform over the 11 days, while an audience of 25,000 enjoyed the many ceremonies, competition sessions and concerts held across the region.
According to event evaluation experts Fresh Info, the tourism impacts of the WCG2024 were well above average compared with other events it has evaluated. The Games attracted 9,395 visitors to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, generating 61,586 visitor nights and $14.5M of tourism expenditure in the region. At a national level, the event attracted 8,310 international visitors to the country, generating 81,676 international visitor nights and $19.9M of international visitor expenditure.
WCG2024 Executive Director Kylie Sealy says, “The research also shows that 92% of New Zealanders believe hosting events like the World Choir Games makes New Zealand a more enjoyable place to live. While we and the 400+ team who helped pull this incredible event together know how wonderful it was for both participants and audiences, these figures confirm the significant impact that major arts and cultural events have on our communities and our country."
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive Nick Hill is delighted at the stellar boost the local economy received. “The event exceeded our expectations in driving winter visitation to Tāmaki Makaurau and provided a significant boost to Auckland’s economy. It was truly a celebration of community and creativity, showcasing the best of Auckland to the world and proving again the value of events to our region. The journey to host the World Choir Games began in 2020, and witnessing our region come alive with song over the eleven days was nothing short of magical. Our rich Māori and Pasifika cultures were beautifully woven throughout the Games, with world-class opening and closing ceremonies at Spark Arena and a special celebration of Matariki.”
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) Major Events Manager, Kylie Hawker-Green says, “It was incredible to see so many singers from across the world descend on Tāmaki Makaurau for the first event of its kind in Aotearoa. We supported the World Choir Games through the Major Events Fund because of the broader social and cultural benefits it would bring to the city and our country. It’s clear that the event had the desired impact in these areas with so many New Zealanders engaging in the event, and our own culture and choral talent being showcased to the world.”
Held every two years, the Games was established in 2000 by INTERKULTUR and has become the largest international choral competition and festival in the world. Günter Titsch, President of INTERKULTUR and the World Choir Games, says, “2024 has been a milestone year for the World Choir Games, standing out as one of the most successful and memorable events in our history. It was an honor to witness such an inspiring display of international and cultural unity. Alongside the World Choir Games Project Director Jelena Dannhauer, who shares these sentiments, and the entire INTERKULTUR Organising Committee, I extend our deepest gratitude to our partners in Auckland and New Zealand, as well as to the international choral family, for their incredible support and engagement. Their contributions made it possible to bring singers from all parts of the world together on yet another continent, leading to the great success of this event. This year’s World Choir Games powerfully brought INTERKULTUR’s mission to life: Singing together brings nations together.”
The Games also provided a unique opportunity for local singers to experience the choirs and choral styles of many other countries. And they took the opportunity, with 2,629 New Zealand singers registering to participate at the Games and another 1,165 local performers taking part in its wider artistic programme.
WCG2024 Artistic and Games Director John Rosser says, “Our twofold ambition in hosting the Games was to put in front of New Zealand choirs and audiences the vast richness and diversity of the choral world, while at the same time sharing this country’s musical and cultural traditions with our international guests. Both aims were achieved in a more complete and satisfying way than we could ever have imagined.”
New Zealand Choral Federation Chief Executive Christine Argyle says, “The impact on the New Zealand choral sector has been profound. Our singers and choir directors have come away from the Games energised by the skills they’ve honed, the international relationships they’ve built, and the immense pride they’ve gained from showcasing Aotearoa on the world stage. We believe the benefits will reverberate for years to come.”
At WCG20024, a total of 21 Category Winners in the ‘Open Competition’ and 24 WCG Champions in the ‘Champions Competition’ were announced, while 150 Open diplomas and 131 Champions medals were presented. China received the most medals with 63, followed by the USA (17), New Zealand (13), Australia (6), Denmark (4), Indonesia (4), Croatia (3), and Austria, Great Britain and India with 2 each. Full results are here.
Looking back on the World Choir Games
The World Choir Games 2024 — the largest choral event ever hosted in Aotearoa New Zealand — arrived at a triumphant end on Saturday 20 July.
Over 10 to 20 July, years of work came to fruition as we welcomed 11,000 singers and supporters from all over the world, including over 50 New Zealand choirs, to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland to participate in ten days of collective singing, competitions, celebrations and choral community building. Now, it's hard to believe it's all over. Here are just a few highlights from an event we won't ever forget.
The Opening Ceremony
On Wednesday 10 July, the Sky Tower lit up like a beacon in "World Choir Games teal" and thousands of singers — some having just flown into Auckland an hour or two earlier — filed into Spark Arena for a grand Opening Ceremony. An army of volunteers marched the flags of each participating country through the arena and onto the stage. There were anthems, there were speeches, and at the heart of the ceremony, there was a cross-disciplinary, collaborative performance telling the story of collective song in Aotearoa. Ria Hall floated down the main aisle of the arena on a sculptural waka while dancers, kapa haka performers and singers wove together a display of our shared cultural heritage. RNZ put together a video of highlights from the ceremony, which you can watch here.
Competitions
Across the ten days of the Games, around 250 choirs competed in the Open and Champions Competitions, vying for diplomas, medals, and coveted category victories. Almost 50 choirs from Aotearoa took part across these categories, performing everything from gospel to waiata to pop, from Brahms to the Spice Girls. On top of the incredible achievement of having performed on this world stage, we were thrilled that four choirs from Aotearoa were named as category winners. You can read a rundown of the results of choirs from Aotearoa NZ here.
Paduan Suara Mahasiswa Universitas Hasanuddin, Indonesia
Rewaken Polycation Choir from Manurewa High School was one of many Kiwi choirs that competed in the Secondary Schools category. One Rewaken singer, Louise Ponifasio, told The Big Idea, “It’s a huge privilege to be participating at the World Choir Games, especially for us as students. [...] It’s a global event and I think it’s really important to us to represent our culture and put ourselves on the map.” Read more about Rewaken Polycation Choir, and watch a video of their World Choir Games experience, here.
INTERKULTUR, the organising body of the World Choir Games, has shone on a spotlight on several competing choirs in video form (as well as compiling some stunning highlights videos) - watch here. Take a look at this montage of three choirs from different continents — the Delaware Choral Scholars, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Choir, and The Graduate Choir from here in New Zealand:
As each part of the competition came to a close, the awards ceremonies demonstrated why the World Choir Games are often referred to as "the Olympics of the choir world". At the beginning of each ceremony, conductors and representatives of each choir marched onto the stage, welcomed by cheering and applause, and when a choir was announced as a category champion, all its members raced to the podium to sing their national anthem.
For a full list of results from the World Choir Games 2024, visit the INTERKULTUR website.
Celebration Concerts
There was, of course, plenty on offer outside the competitive element of the Games. The Celebration Concerts brought together some of the top competing choirs alongside groups from Aotearoa and the Pacific to present several incredible evenings of collective singing. Audiences flocked to Night of the Dragon, Pacific Spirit, and A Choral Kaleidoscope (at which two New Zealand choirs, The Graduate Choir and Paradisum, performed alongside choirs from Australia, Asia and Europe). The Night of Song and Dance concerts showcased two award-winning kapa haka groups, Te Waka Huia and Ngā Tūmanako, as well as the New Zealand Youth Choir.
The "jewel in the crown" of these celebration concerts, as described by Artistic and Games Director John Rosser, was Matariki He Kāhui Reo (Matariki: A Constellation of Voices), a choral celebration of the whetū (stars) of the Matariki cluster, entirely in te reo Māori. This was a collaborative effort of five composers and three lyricists, performed by eight choirs from Aotearoa New Zealand whose combined power built walls of sound around a packed-out audience in Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Robert Wiremu, who conducted the massed choir movements that opened and closed the piece, described the experience to Creative New Zealand: “It’s not often the conductor gets to see the audience. I could see their faces, their eyes growing bigger and bigger and bigger, and their mouths falling open, then tears. […] I was forced into understanding it from their point of view for a moment which is pretty amazing, and the buzz was palpable."
Friendship Concerts
On each day of the Games, several Friendship Concerts popped up around the centre and suburbs of Tāmaki Makaurau. These free concerts each featured a handful of choirs participating in the Games, and the billings often consisted of groups from three different continents. Choirs sang beneath aeroplanes in the Aviation Wing of the Museum of Transport and Technology, surrounded by foliage at the Botanic Gardens, on the steps of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, and amidst the bustle of Britomart.
Friendship Concert at MOTAT Aviation Hall featuring Kaitāia Community Voices and Young People’s Chorus of New York City © Jonas Persson
The Closing Ceremony
It all came to an end on the evening of 20 July with an epic display of collective singing. One highlight of the Closing Ceremony was the ultimate live performance of Te Taukaea Tangata: Breathing In, Breathing Out, the Official Song of the World Choir Games 2024, by Marlon Williams, Ria Hall, the Auckland Philharmonia, and the 600-voice Festival Choir. The choir and orchestra went on to perform a colossal medley of popular songs from around the globe, turning the arena into a dance floor and ending the Games on a very sweet note.
"A magical experience"
At the conclusion of the Games, INTERKULTUR president Günter Titsch remarked, "Auckland has thrilled the world! We have already received enthusiastic feedback from so many choirs, who described the World Choir Games 2024 as a magical and incredible experience."
Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson described the Games as "more than just a competition; it was a reminder of how music weaves its way through all cultures and has the ability to unite us as a city, country and across the globe."
World Choir Games 2024 Executive Director Kylie Sealy credited the success of the Games to "the immense support from our family of partners, funders, venues and suppliers, who helped us deliver 410 individual activities across the 11 days, along with our incredible team of 350 volunteers who were utterly dedicated in their support of our many choirs and activities."
We know that those in Aotearoa who participated in the Games — as singers, audience members, jurors, volunteers and staff — have been inspired by what they've heard and seen, as have those whose towns and cities hosted choirs who toured the country following the event. The benefits of the Games will reverberate through our choral community for many years to come. It's been a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we'll treasure it dearly.
Closing Ceremony at Spark Arena
Four choirs receive funding to attend the World Choir Games
Four choirs from South Auckland have received funding from Foundation North to participate in the 2024 World Choir Games, which will take place in Aotearoa New Zealand this July. This iconic event, the largest choral competition and festival on the planet, will offer these choirs a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform on a global stage.
Foundation North’s funding aims to enhance lives through initiatives that respond to community needs, both now and for generations to come. The organisers of the World Choir Games were awarded a grant to support choirs from South Auckland, covering their registration fees and transport costs. This support has opened up an opportunity for these singers to showcase their skills in front of a wider audience, and carries with it the potential for life-changing experiences.
The choirs who have received support are Fatherz and Sonz from Mangere East, Otara PIC Youth Choir, EFKS Magele I Sisifo and Auckland Pasifika Voices. Participation in the World Choir Games 2024 will allow these choirs to engage with others from around the world, learning from a whole range of cultural and musical traditions. The experience will create lasting connections and continue to inspire their musical endeavours.
Fatherz and Sonz, a community choir established in 2007 by the late Reverend Ron Lau’ese, brings together people from various churches and cultures across Auckland. Known for their powerful renditions of old church songs and hymns, they have performed at church and community events and conducted workshops overseas. Since Reverend Lau’ese's passing in 2023, the choir has continued to honour his memory by uplifting God through their music and fostering community bonds.
“Participating in the World Choir Games has united past and present members of Fatherz and Sonz, spanning 17 years, to honour our late leader and music director, Rev. Ron Lau’ese,” says Bing Roebeck. Though many of us have never met, joining at different times, today we celebrate Rev. Ron's impact on our lives through music and worship, and his lasting influence."
Auckland Pasifika Voices is an all-comers’ choir made up of community members from diverse backgrounds who love singing and connecting to their cultures. This year’s World Choir Games marks their first public performance.
“The World Choir Games will be the choir’s first outing, and the first time a lot of its members will be singing in public. Thanks to the generosity of Foundation North, Auckland Pasifika Voices and its members are able to compete at the highest levels of choral competition, and are excited to do so!” says Fiona Bakulich of Auckland Pasifika Voices.
Martin Mariota of EFKS Magele I Sisifo says, “For a lot of these young people who come from low socio-economic backgrounds, our choir is their safe space where they can express themselves in a positive way and grow in their faith as well as in their Pasifika identity language and culture. Participating in the World Choir Games is an opportunity for these young Pasifika people to look beyond their limitations and challenges that they face in their personal lives. We know that this will open up their eyes to opportunities beyond South Auckland.”
Foundation North firmly believes that supporting the communities of today helps shape the communities of tomorrow. Their commitment to enhancing lives through responsible guardianship of investments and focused funding, anchored by their commitment to Te Tiriti, is evident in this initiative. By bringing choirs from diverse communities into the World Choir Games, Foundation North is fostering cultural exchange and enriching the choral landscape of New Zealand.
Learn more about Foundation North here
For media information, interviews, and images, please contact Siobhan Waterhouse on +64 22 126 4149 or siobhan.waterhouse@wcg2024.co.nz
World Choir Games 2024 programme announced
Tickets for the eagerly anticipated World Choir Games 2024, taking place in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland from 10 to 20 July, go on sale at 10am today. Over 11,000 participants will descend upon the city, with around 250 choirs from more than 30 countries now registered to perform.
The event comprises a global competition with numerous categories, a wide range of concerts, ceremonies and workshops – all in the central city – and free-to-attend daytime events right across Tāmaki Makaurau.
The philosophy behind the World Choir Games is to unify people and nations in fair competition through song. It is based on the premise that music, the common language of the world, can act as a bridge between countries and cultures. To inspire people to experience the power of singing together, the Games places personality and team spirit over competitive outcomes.
Annie Dundas, Director Destination at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, is enthusiastic about showcasing Auckland's rich musical heritage and cultural diversity on the global stage. "Tāmaki Makaurau, a UNESCO City of Music, has music in its DNA. The many thousands of singers travelling here are sure to find inspiration from the environment, our music, our people, and each other. I don’t think Aucklanders really understand just how big this event will be. We look forward to offering our manaakitanga to guests from across the country and the globe, and experiencing the incredible music on offer," Dundas says.
Auckland’s 2024 World Choir Games will offer 28 competition categories, encompassing nearly all choir types and choral music styles imaginable. In addition, each category takes place at both ‘Open’ and ‘Champions’ levels, allowing choirs to compete against others of similar experience and skill.
Adjudicating each category is a jury of international experts whose averaged marks are used to determine whether choirs are awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze medals, or Diplomas.
With so many choirs attending the Games and many entering more than one category, a very large jury pool is needed. To this end, 36 highly distinguished jurors from all over the globe will gather in Auckland in July. Hailing from Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, UK, Uruguay, USA and Venezuela, they will form by far the largest group of choral luminaries to ever visit New Zealand.
Alongside the competition, which runs throughout the day, curated evening concerts will feature a veritable feast of choral music from many parts of the world. WCG2024 Artistic & Games Director John Rosser is delighted with the programme his team has put together. "We have worked to provide something for everyone, highlighting some of the best international groups audiences will hear during the daytime sessions and mixing in a strong representation of the superb choral and cultural scene here in Aotearoa. This, for me, is the whole reason for hosting this great event: to bring to our faraway country an array of new choral sounds, styles and ideas, while in turn sharing with the world what we have to offer,” Rosser says.
A Choral Kaleidoscope consists of two concerts, on Thursday 11 July and Wednesday 17 July in the Auckland Town Hall, each featuring four colourful and exciting but quite different international choirs. These include groups from the USA, Switzerland, Denmark, Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
A Night of Song and Dance, two concerts presented in partnership with Te Matatini, will deliver a stunning fusion of kapa haka and choral music at Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre. On Friday 12 a performance by the legendary Te Waka Huia will be followed by the graceful, storytelling Paduan Suara Mahasiswa from Indonesia, while the concert on Thursday 18 July sets 2019 Te Matatini winners Ngā Tūmanako alongside the celebrated New Zealand Youth Choir.
Pacific Spirit, on Saturday 13 July in the Auckland Town Hall and curated by powerhouse Pacific performing arts collective, Pacific Underground, will celebrate the harmonious songs, vibrant dances and epic stories of the island nations of Aotearoa's Pacific communities.
The two Night of the Dragon concerts on Friday 12 and Wednesday 17 July at Holy Trinity Cathedral honour the more than 80 choral groups from China who have registered for the Games. Each evening features three top Chinese choirs, as well as popular items by a massed choir to be conducted by one of our international jurors.
A very special highlight will be the multi-composer, multi-choir work Matariki He Kāhui Reo (Matariki, a Constellation of Voices), which will receive its world première on Monday 15 July in Parnell’s atmospheric Holy Trinity Cathedral, with a repeat on Tuesday 16th. The work brings together seven of New Zealand’s finest choirs and a kapa haka rōpū to depict each of the nine stars of Matariki as characterised by our adviser Dr Rangi Mātāmua and in music by six of our leading choral writers.
An exciting Workshop Programme at the World Choir Games 2024, led by esteemed choral experts from around the globe and offering a variety of immersive learning experiences for both the visiting singers and the general public, will go on sale at the end of May. The workshop subjects range from South African song and dance styles to Latin American choral rhythms, Philippine singing games and the African American spiritual; from musicianship exercises for choirs to music through children’s eyes and recreating instruments, including a whole drumkit, with your voice. An undoubted highlight is the session by juror Deke Sharon – acclaimed music director for the Pitch Perfect film series and a pioneer of contemporary a cappella singing – who will lead the audience in a Pitch Perfect Singalong!
INTERKULTUR President Günter Titsch says, “Hosting the World Choir Games 2024 in Auckland, our first time in Oceania, is a significant milestone for us. Choirs from around the globe will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the rich cultural and musical heritage of this region first-hand, while also contributing their own unique melodies. We are immensely proud to facilitate such a vibrant exchange and to unite singers across continents, united by their shared passion for music.”
Established in 2000, the World Choir Games (WCG) has become the largest international choir competition in the world. The biennial event is a celebration of diversity, friendship, and song, drawing choirs from every corner of the globe together in a show of musical unity.
The 2024 event, a partnership between the New Zealand Choral Federation and German rights holders INTERKULTUR and presented with the substantial support of NZ Major Events and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, will begin on Wednesday 10 July with an Opening Ceremony at Spark Arena. Following an international flag parade, national and Games anthems and an official welcome, the Ceremony will conclude with a spectacular multicultural show from Aotearoa New Zealand, crafted by a star-studded creative team and directed by Malia Johnston, Show Director of the fêted World of WearableArt.
World Choir Games unveils star-studded creative team
As anticipation builds for the 13th World Choir Games, we're delighted to turn the spotlight onto the star-studded team behind the creative elements in the Games’ massive Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Over 250 choirs have now registered for the event, which means that on Wednesday 10 July, around 10,000 participants will be welcomed to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland in spectacular fashion. Spark Arena will transform into an Olympic-style stadium with an event that features an international flag parade, national anthems and a breathtaking show devised by a celebrated lineup of creators, directors and producers.
Opening and Closing Ceremonies to celebrate togetherness
Organisers will soon unveil the event’s Official Song, composed by NZ Music Hall of Fame inductee Don McGlashan. With further lyrics and translation by Hana Mereraiha, the song celebrates the importance of breath, voice and togetherness, and will act as the heartbeat of the Games. The song will be performed at the Closing Ceremony by beloved New Zealand musicians Marlon Williams (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāi Tai) and Ria Hall (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui).
A highlight of the 2024 Opening Ceremony, and the whole Games, will be the spectacular ‘Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand’ show. Steering the show's creative team is director Malia Johnston, perhaps best known for her long-time role as Show Director for the World of WearableArt (WOW), as director of the opening ceremony for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, or as the mastermind behind dance organisation Movement of the Human. Johnston will be joined by show designer Rowan Pierce, with soundscape and music created by award-winning composer Eden Mulholland.
Collaboration between creative team members "adds a whole extra layer"
Kura Te Ua (Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri, Te Aitanga a Māhaki, Te Whakatōhea, Tūhoe), who is also Artistic Director and Kaihaka of kapa haka dance group Hawaiki TŪ, will be the show's guest choreographer and concept advisor. Pak Peacocke, a creative force behind iconic events such as NZ Fashion Week, Christmas in the Park, NZ Comedy Festival and the Aotearoa Music Awards, assumes the role of Production Manager.
With Spark Arena situated on mana whenua land, tikanga advisor Otene Hopa (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi, Waikato) will work with the team across all the Games’ ceremonies, ensuring that a te ao Māori perspective is woven into each celebration.
Artistic and Games Director John Rosser says, “It has been a genuine joy to bring this show team together. Each member brings huge talent and experience to the project, but the collaboration between them adds a whole extra layer. As for the song, I always had confidence Don would write something very special, and he has. I can’t wait for the choral world to experience both of these offerings.”
Freemasons Foundation to support seven school choirs
Seven school choirs from across Tāmaki Makaurau have been generously supported by the Freemasons Foundation to participate in the 2024 World Choir Games, taking place in Aotearoa New Zealand this July. This prestigious event, known for celebrating the joy and diversity of choral music, will offer these young singers an unparalleled opportunity to showcase their talents on a global stage.
Seven school choirs from across Tāmaki Makaurau have been generously supported by the Freemasons Foundation to participate in the 2024 World Choir Games, taking place in Aotearoa New Zealand this July. This prestigious event, known for celebrating the joy and diversity of choral music, will offer these young singers an unparalleled opportunity to showcase their talents on a global stage.
Manurewa High School’s Rewaken Polycation Choir has achieved national recognition by being selected for The Big Sing Finale in 2023, marking the first time in 20 years that a choir from Manurewa has reached this level. Alongside them, the Tuaikaepau Tongan Cultural Group from the same school is renowned for their majestic performances of traditional Tongan culture, including the Lakalaka and contemporary Mate Ma’a Tonga.
Marcellin College’s Marcellin College Voices, comprising 55 passionate singers, draws from the cultural richness of South Auckland, where singing is a significant part of the community identity. Tangaroa College’s Toka Tu Moana is known for their vibrant performances, including a standout appearance at Polyfest this year. Puhinui Primary School’s choir performs a diverse range of music, from spirituals and waiata to show tunes, offering young students a chance to develop and share their talents on a world stage.
Green Bay High School’s Ngā Manawa Tītī sings a variety of genres, from jazz to waiata, providing students with exposure to a broad musical spectrum and the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers. Western Springs College’s Ngā Puna o Waiōrea, a consistently top-ranked kapa haka rōpū, is known for its powerful and moving performances that showcase months of dedicated practice.
The Freemasons' funding will cover fees and transport costs, removing significant barriers to participation and enabling these choirs to experience the magic of the World Choir Games. At the Games, students will engage with choirs from around the world, learning from diverse cultural and musical traditions. Emerging choral conductors, music teachers, and soloists within these choirs will gain confidence from watching and attending workshops with seasoned international choir directors.
“Many of our families would find the costs involved quite prohibitive but a grant such as this opens up an incredible experience for the children and myself,” says Brent Read of Puhinui School. “It is a chance for them to share their talents, learn and develop as performers as well as share their and New Zealand's culture on a world stage, a chance that many would never get to experience otherwise. I am sure it will be a cherished memory for a long time to come, and will bring a great sense of pride and accomplishment to the children and Puhinui School to take part in such an amazing event.”
The World Choir Games was established in 2000 by the German arts tourism company INTERKULTUR and has grown to become the largest choral festival and competition in the world. Held every two years, it typically attracts 200 to 400 choirs from around the globe and is known for fostering an atmosphere of creativity, unity, and joy among a host of diverse nations.
In partnership with the New Zealand Choral Federation, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, the 13th World Choir Games will take place in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland from 10 to 20 July 2024.
Learn more about Freemason’s Foundation here
For media information, interviews, and images, please contact Siobhan Waterhouse on +64 22 126 4149 or siobhan.waterhouse@wcg2024.co.nz