We are beyond excited to welcome in our next intake of singers into the 2026-28 New Zealand Youth Choir!
From all across the country, we have auditioned singers who want to be part of the internationally acclaimed NZ Youth Choir, and now we are pleased to give them music, fit them into uniform, and see them begin their 3 year journey into their addition to the legacy of (arguably) the first and longest running national youth choir of its type in the world.
Extra Supporters Ticket:
NZYC tours domestically and internationally, and we can’t do that without the help of funders, patrons, and our beloved audiences!
By purchasing an Extra Supporter’s Ticket, you cover your general admission to the concert ($10), and $20 from that ticket does directly towards touring costs for the New Zealand Youth Choir.
Singing music from the Pacific and the world, the New Zealand Youth Choir gives the final performance of their 2025 international tour.
Founded in 1979, and widely considered the first national youth choir of its kind in the world, the New Zealand Youth Choir has achieved considerable success since its formation, drawing from its unique cultural and geographic origin. Performances in New Zealand and thirteen international tours including visits to the UK, Europe, Canada, USA, Australia, Singapore, Russia, the Republic of Korea, China and the Pacific Islands have firmly established its reputation for consistency, energy and excellence. One of the Choir’s greatest achievements was winning the 1999 ‘Choir of the World’ title at the International Music Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales. During their 2016 European Landmark Tour, NZYC won the GRAND PRIX at the 2016 IFAS in Pardubice Czech Republic and also all four categories it competed in.
Though the choir excels in many choral artforms, they have been fundamental in ingraining Maāori, Pasifika, and other multicultural work into NZ’s choral spheres. Under current direction of David Squire, one of NZ’s most prominent choral conductors, NZYC continues to do more, do better, and share choral stories of Aotearoa with the world.
From classics of Western European music to the dynamism of Māori action songs, from emotive spirituals through to music from Samoa, the New Zealand Youth Choir boasts a thrillingly wide variety of music. Be prepared for the incredible vocal skill and unmatched energy of their choreographed performances, a combination that’s seen them crowned as a winner of the Choir of the World competition.
We are so delighted to be revisiting our 2016 ‘Live in London’ venue – Sinfonia Smiths Square!
Full programme
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Traditional moteatea – Ko ngā waka ēnei
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Te Whānau Wehi – Kua Rongo
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Marek Raczyński – Gaudeamus Omnes
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Josef Rheinberger – Kyrie from Cantus Missae, Op.109
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Johann Ludwig Bach – Das ist meine Freude
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Herbert Howells – In Youth is Pleasure
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David Griffiths – Beata Virgo
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Lili Boulanger – Hymne au Soleil
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Anton Bruckner – Os Justi
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Michel Legrand, arr. Alexander L’Estrange – How do you keep the music playing?
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Anthony Ritchie – Ururangi
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Trad. spiritual, arr. Moses Hogan – The Battle of Jericho
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Trad. Samoan, arr. Igelese Ete – Ua Fetausunu’i Ao
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Trad. Fijian/Tongan, arr. Siliva Gaugatao – Isa Isa Vulagi Lasa Dina
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Tuirina Wehi – Aotearoa
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Concert supported by
The Ōtautahi-based members of the NZ Youth Choir are delighted to present Haere Rā: a fundraising concert designed to showcase the best of the youthful talent Christchurch has to offer as we prepare to leave Aotearoa’s shores for Asia and Europe.
Featuring invited guest ensembles from around the city who are near and dear to our hearts – either as directors, managers, or fellow members – we are honoured to be joined by Quantum Acoustics (current Barbershop Harmony NZ silver medalists), The Christchurch Boys’ Choir, Cantrices from Christchurch Girls’ High School (national/regional The Big Sing finalists) and the Christchurch Youth Choir. We are especially excited as all of these featured groups are also “youths” just like us!
The NZYC regional members will serenade you with songs from Cole Porter and Herbert Howells, offer sacred favourites from Thomas Tallis and Charles Wood, and share home-grown classics like Isa Isa and Haere Rā (Now is the hour).
Be sure to bring your spare change too as we will be running some raffles – including some very, very special items which we will announce closer to the time.
We are thrilled to be touring Asia and Europe in 2025, including representing New Zealand at the Grand Prix of Nations in Denmark and the Choir of the World competition in Wales. Proceeds will go towards supporting an equity-based hardship fund to ensure that no singer is left behind due to financial strain!
This event is hosted by the Ōtautahi members of the New Zealand Youth Choir and joined by special guests from around Christchurch!
The Auckland members of the New Zealand Youth Choir are delighted to present Tō Mātou Haerenga | Our Journey, a concert series by NZYC Auckland. We invite you to experience our European journey with us, as we present a selection of music from a variety of genres that closely follows our European tour destinations.
On this journey, we explore the Scandinavian territory with works from Alfvén and Pedersen. With Mendelssohn and Gjeilo, you’ll be transported further into Europe. On our journey, we do not forget about home – Puanaki and Komene remind us of our roots, and a surprise feature from Lim reflects our excitement about stopping over in Singapore.
Tō Mātou Haerenga | Our Journey is a concert series fundraising for the New Zealand Youth Choir’s European Tour in July this year. The choir will be competing in two of the world’s top choir competitions: the European Choir Games in Denmark, and the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in Wales. Ticket proceeds will go directly to our equity-based hardship fund to ensure no singer is left behind.
