As a singer, Robert was a member of all the national choirs – the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir (NZSSC), New Zealand Youth Choir and Voices NZ – and from 2007-08 was music director of NZSSC, leading the choir on tour to Brazil and Argentina. Robert served as Artistic Advisor at CANZ and was recently part of the Aotearoa Choral Academy’s artistic team and trustee on the CANZ board.

Robert inspired two decades of tertiary students through his teaching roles at the University of Auckland and guided thousands of secondary students with his work for The Big Sing choral competition. He served on the New Zealand Choral Federation Board (2018–2022), was Deputy Director of the New Zealand National Singing School, part of the artistic team for the New Zealand Children’s Choral Academy, Co-chair of SOUNZ Centre for NZ Music and a trustee of the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation.

As a composer and arranger, Robert’s works often featured voice and were strongly influenced by Te Ao Māori sounds and perspectives. Earlier this year, Robert’s full-length arrangement of Mozart’s Requiem – Reimagining Mozart – was performed by Voices NZ as part of the Aotearoa Festival of the Arts and last year to international critical acclaim in Hamburg and in London, where Voices NZ was joined by the BBC Singers. Other pieces arranged by Robert for CANZ ensembles include Tuirina Wehi’s ​’Waerenga-ā-Hika’ for NZYC.

“Robert was a much loved and influential figure in the Aotearoa New Zealand choral scene, and we will all miss him very much. I will remember him as warm, thoughtful and possessing extraordinary musical talents,” says Richard Sorrenson, Chair of the CANZ Board of Trustees.

Karen Grylls (CNZM), CANZ Artistic Director Emerita and founder of Voices NZ, gave a tribute to Robert on RNZ Concert, 20 July 2026: “Robert was just brilliant,” she said, “For him, it was all about musical connection … between te ao Māori and the Western choral tradition. He would wish that we continue that journey – take risks and be ourselves. And that’s what I admired about Robert; he was prepared to be himself. Haere atu rā e te whetū tārake o te ao waiata tira, kua wehe atu ki a Pōhutukawa kia pīata iho mai i te uma o Ranginui (Farewell the stand alone star, the peerless star that has gone to Pōhutukawa (Matariki star) to become a shining star in the chest of Ranginui – Ataahua Papa)”.

Arne Herrmann, CANZ Chief Executive, says Robert’s music, teachings and philosophy will be his legacy, one which will be cherished for years to come, “Haere ra, Robert Wiremu, with deepest respect and gratitude from your fellow trustees from the CANZ board, our staff, artistic colleagues and singers. We will miss you”.

Image credit: Arie Hoeflak

Infratil has deepened its commitment to the New Zealand Youth Choir (NZYC), part of Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand, through an extended three year partnership that reflects a shared focus on people, potential and enduring impact.

Building on a relationship that began in 2012, the partnership signals a move beyond ongoing support to a more intentional, forward‑looking collaboration – designed to give certainty to young performers and enable NZYC to plan confidently for the years ahead.

The New Zealand Youth Choir brings together around 50 singers aged 18–25, selected through a national audition process for a three‑year programme. NZYC has represented New Zealand internationally for more than four decades and continues to be recognised as one of the world’s leading youth choirs, most recently achieving Choir of the World at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in 2025.

As part of the partnership, Infratil will continue to support NZYC through direct funding and a newly introduced element, the Infratil Scholarship, which helps reduce financial barriers for a talented singer who might otherwise struggle to meet the costs of participation.

“This partnership is about taking a long‑term view – backing young people with ambition and talent, and helping create the conditions where they can succeed,” said Infratil’s CEO, Jason Boyes.

“By committing for the longer term, we’re aiming to support not just excellence today, but opportunity and confidence for the next generation of performers.”

People and communities sit at the heart of what matters to Infratil. Alongside investing in critical infrastructure, the company also focuses on the social impacts it can have – supporting initiatives that enable participation, build capability, and create positive social outcomes over time. The NZYC partnership is a clear expression of this approach.

“Infratil’s partnership goes well beyond financial support,” said Arne Herrmann, Choirs Aotearoa NZ’s Chief Executive.

“A long‑term commitment like this gives our singers certainty, opens doors for those who might otherwise miss out, and helps us invest confidently in our proven progamme developing artistic excellence while telling the unique stories of Aotearoa and its people, at home and on international stages.”

Infratil and Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand will continue to work closely to share the stories and impact of the partnership, celebrating the achievements of NZYC singers and the broader role of music in connecting communities and representing Aotearoa New Zealand internationally.

Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand is delighted to announce Rowan Johnston as its new music director of the New Zealand Youth Choir (NZYC). The longest running national youth choir in the world, the Youth Choir carefully selects 50 of our best young singers, aged 18–25, and offers them a three-year membership of specialist training, rehearsals and performances that culminates in an international tour.

“I am delighted that Rowan will be the next director of our internationally acclaimed Youth Choir,” says Richard Sorrenson, Chair of Choirs Aotearoa NZ. “Rowan’s commitment to choral music in Aotearoa, his experience, his deep musicianship and his affinity with young New Zealanders make him the ideal choice to write the next chapter in the choir’s compelling story.”

Rowan begins his new role immediately, with planning already underway for the 2026/28 New Zealand Youth Choir, including December auditions to confirm which singers will be representing Aotearoa for the next three years.

“It’s an absolute honour to have the opportunity to conduct this national taonga,” says Rowan, “As only the fifth director in the choir’s illustrious history, I am humbled to be standing on the shoulders of choral giants in Aotearoa”.

Rowan follows on from his distinguished colleague David Squire, who led the NZ Youth Choir on its recent, and very successful, tour to Singapore, Denmark and the UK. Under David’s skilled direction, the choir received national and international media attention when it won both the Grand Prix of Nations at the European Choir Games in Denmark and the Choir of the World at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in Wales.

Rowan says he’s deeply impressed and inspired by the musical and leadership potential of the young singers he will be leading and notes that “the New Zealand Youth Choir has always been a launchpad for choral careers, and I am looking forward to continuing this important kaupapa.”

For more information, contact: Rachel Healy, Choirs Aotearoa NZ Publicist. T: 027 2706105, E: rachel@rachelhealy.co.nz

MORE ABOUT ROWAN JOHNSTON

Rowan Johnston has a Bachelor in Music from Victoria University in classical singing and composition and a Postgraduate Diploma and Masters in Conducting from Auckland University. An alumnus of the New Zealand Secondary Students Choir and the New Zealand Youth Choir, Rowan still sings in Voices New Zealand, our premier chamber choir.

Rowan grew up in a musical family, played in pipe bands and sang his the church choir with his sister. It was as a member of the New Zealand Secondary Students Choir, led by Roger Stevenson, that he realised he had found his tribe and wanted to sing at the highest level. Rowan went on to sing with the New Zealand Youth choir directed by Dr Karen Grylls, who inspired him to follow both his passion for singing and interest in directing.

Rowan has previously conducted the Taranaki and Auckland Youth Choirs, was Director of Choirs at Auckland Cathedral of the Holy Trinity and HOD Music at Westlake Girls High School, where he conducted Choralation – the school’s premier mixed voice choir. Under his leadership, Choralation was placed 1st in the Mixed Choir category at the Summa Cum Laude International Music Festival in Vienna, Austria.

Rowan recently relocated from Auckland to Wellington and is HOD Music at Chilton Saint James School where he conducts all the school’s choirs. He also directs the Wellington Youth Choir and co-directs the Aotearoa Academy Choir.

Rowan has regularly been invited to conduct choirs at the Gondwana National Choral School in Australia and is a Choral Advisor for the NZ Choral Federation.

Conductor David Squire has reflected on the New Zealand Youth Choir’s unforgettable experience at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, where the choir was crowned Choir of the World in a stunning victory last week. David was speaking from London, as the multi award-winning choir get ready to travel back to New Zealand.

Squire, who last attended the festival in 2013 with Kristin School’s SSAA choir Euphony, described the trip as a homecoming of sorts – complete with his trademark good weather:

“The last time I was there was in 2013, and I recall it was even hotter then – so my theory is that perhaps I am responsible for bringing the best weather to Llangollen!”

The New Zealand Youth Choir approached the competition with excitement but little expectation, knowing the exceptionally high standard of choirs taking part.

“Many of these choirs rehearse several times each week; we only meet three times a year,” Squire explained. “That’s why I’m so proud that our focus on great repertoire, tonal flexibility, musicianship, and communication was recognised. Our singers worked so hard to present their best performances, particularly in the Choir of the World recital – and they were understandably thrilled with the result.”

Winning the Choir of the World title, the festival’s highest accolade, places the New Zealand Youth Choir among the elite of global choral music and marks another significant moment in the choir’s 46-year history. David was also awarded the coveted ‘Jayne Davies Conductor’s Prize’ on his farewell tour with the choir.

David praised the Eisteddfod’s organisers and Welsh hospitality:

“A huge thank you to the organisers, volunteers, and the Welsh people for making us feel so welcome and helping us celebrate this special achievement.”

The Pavarotti Trophy was presented by the late Maestro’s widow, Nicoletta Mantovani. Nicoletta, who visited Llangollen to mark the occasion of the seventieth anniversary of Pavarotti’s iconic first performance at the festival.

The world’s longest running national youth choir, NZ Youth Choir (NZYC), is getting ready for its 14^th international tour: to Singapore and Europe. The traditional “farewell” concert will take place at Auckland’s Holy Trinity Cathedral, Friday 27th June, with tickets selling fast. The following day, NZYC will head to Singapore for concerts before flying to Europe to compete in the 6^th European Choir Games and Grand Prix of Nations in Aarhus, Denmark. The choir will then return to the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales where they previously won “Choir of the World” in 1999.

This is the New Zealand Youth Choir’s first European tour since before COVID-19. The choir gathers New Zealand’s finest young voices aged 18–25 and offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from our top conductor and vocal coaches, with the three-year membership culminating in an international tour. Director David Squire will end his time with the choir at the completion of the tour. David has directed NZYC since 2011 and was himself a member from 1985–1991 before becoming a founding member of Voices NZ and going onto an illustrious career in music education.

“It’s been my great honour to direct the New Zealand Youth Choir for the past 15 years,” David says, “As an NZYC alumnus, I’ve always considered this role bigger than any person who has the opportunity to conduct it and, with that in mind, 2025 is the time for my tenure with the choir to come to an end”.

The Holy Trinity Cathedral concert on Friday 27th June will be David’s last New Zealand concert as New Zealand Youth Choir director.

“David is one of New Zealand’s most prominent conductors, and his extraordinary legacy with New Zealand Youth Choir will be cherished and celebrated,” says Arne Herrmann, Choirs Aotearoa NZ’s CE, “While David’s tenure with NZYC will come to an end, his mahi with CANZ will continue. We will announce the new Music Director closer to the commencement of their start date in early 2026 – and once the recruitment process is complete”.

While overseas, NZYC will also sing in Singapore and the UK: Oxford, Barnsley and a concert at Sinfonia Smith’s Square,  London – where NZYC in 2016, the last time they were in Europe led by David, recorded their “Live in London” DVD and won the Grand Prix at the 2016 IFAS in the Czech Republic in 2016. NZYC has a Give-a-little page to support their 2025 tour.

NZ Youth Choir Farewell Concert at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell, Auckland
7:30pm, Friday 27 June, 2025

For more information, contact: Rachel Healy, PUBLICIST. 027 2706105, rachel@rachelhealy.co.nz 

MORE ABOUT DAVID SQUIRE

David has taught music in schools for 35 years and in 2011 won a New Zealander of the Year Local Heroes Medal for services to music education. His ensembles have won many awards at local and international music festivals, such as the NZCF Big Sing. His Rangitoto College mixed-voice chamber choir, The Fundamentals, won the platinum award at the 2008 NZCF Big Sing Finale in Wellington – the first time for a mixed-voice choir. David’s upper-voice choir from Kristin School, Euphony, was third in the open female choir competition at the International Musical Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales, in 2013. In 2019, Euphony represented New Zealand at the Budapest International Choral Festival, winning the Youth Choirs of Equal Voices category, coming 3rd in the open Musica Sacra category and was invited to compete for the Grand Prix. David’s Westlake Boys High School lower-voice choir, Voicemale, won the Grand Prix at the 2nd Leonardo da Vinci International Choral Festival in Florence in 2018, and David won the award for best conductor at this event. David has been music director of the Westlake Symphony Orchestra for 25 years, and it has won more gold awards at the KBB Music Festival than any other ensemble. In 2014 the orchestra was placed first equal at the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival in Vienna.

David is also the director of the Auckland Youth Choir, Vice-Chair of the New Zealand Association of Choral Directors, is a national conducting advisor and tutor and was a governance board member of the New Zealand Choral Federation for 9-years. He completed his undergraduate study at the University of Auckland, with an emphasis on conducting and composition, later graduating with a Master of Music degree with first class honours in choral conducting. He studied singing with Isabel Cunningham, Glenese Blake and Beatrice Webster, and conducting with Karen Grylls and Juan Matteucci. He has sung with many top choirs in New Zealand, including the Auckland Dorian Choir, University of Auckland Chamber Choir and the New Zealand Youth Choir. He was a founding member of Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir and the V8 Vocal Ensemble.

David has previously led the New Zealand Youth Choir on four international tours, including the USA and Canada in 2013, which featured performances of the War Requiem by Britten in the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, as well as concerts in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Boston, New York and Washington DC. In 2016 the choir gave concerts in Singapore, the Czech Republic, France and the UK. Tour highlights included singing high mass at Notre-Dame in Paris, a lunchtime concert at Windsor Castle, and producing a live DVD recording of a well-received concert at St Johns Smith Square in London. The choir also participated in the Festival of Academic Choirs in Pardubice, Czech Republic, winning every category it entered, as well as the prize for outstanding vocal culture, and then going on to win the Grand Prix. At the end of 2019 the choir embarked on a Pacific tour aboard the cruise ship MS Maasdam, taking in Tonga, Niue, Fiji, New Caledonia and Sydney. In 2022 the choir toured Australia, presenting performances in Tasmania, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, and at the Sydney Opera House.

As a freelance musician, David has conducted several local ensembles, including the Auckland Philharmonia and the St Matthews Chamber Orchestra. He was the assistant musical director of the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir, founding musical director of the Auckland Youth Big Band, chairman and administrator of the KBB Music Festival, and a live performance reviewer for Radio NZ Concert. David is often involved in session and recording work, particularly as a conductor, adjudicator, clinician and singer and was choir director on the recent New Zealand film, Tinā. He has also served as the choir director for Synthony, and is the chorus master for the International Schools Choral Music Society based in China.

For more information, contact: Rachel Healy, PUBLICIST. 027 2706105, rachel@rachelhealy.co.nz 

The New Zealand Youth Choir (NZYC) has a distinguished international reputation, having won multiple awards and performed at some of the world’s most prestigious venues. As Music Director, you will shape the artistic direction of the choir, develop innovative and inspiring programmes, and uphold our commitment to musical excellence and cultural authenticity.

We welcome applications from visionary choral leaders who share our passion for artistic excellence, youth development, and the rich musical traditions of Aotearoa.

Essential Criteria:

• Proven experience in choral conducting at a high level.
• Deep knowledge of choral repertoire, vocal technique, and ensemble training.
• A strong commitment to fostering young musical talent.
• Understanding of Te Ao Māori and Pasifika musical traditions, or a willingness to engage in these areas.
• Experience in planning and delivering performances at an international standard.

The MD is supported by a professional team and will benefit from a supportive partnership with the artistic team of the other national choirs.

As part of our new MD appointment policy all of Choirs Aotearoa NZ Music Director roles will become publicly contested on a regular basis. Current MDs are encouraged to apply.

Interviews for this position will take place in the last week of May with a practical assessment 14 June in Auckland.

For more details about this role and Choirs Aotearoa NZ, please refer to the Candidate Information Pack.

Applications:

Please include cover letter, CV, alongside any links to audio and video material as outlined in the Candidate Info Pack of your previous conducting work and send to joinus@choirsnz.co.nz .

If you have any questions beyond the information provided please email us on the above email or contact the CANZ Chief Executive.

Applications close 21 May 2025

We are looking for a new team member to manage the activities of our iconic national choirs, which include New Zealand Youth Choir, NZSSC and Voices New Zealand.

We are working out of a groovy office in Victoria Street and deliver the management of our three internationally-awarded national choirs, a national academy and nationwide outreach and engagement program.

Your role in 2025 would include managing the logistic preparation and planning of the ionic New Zealand Youth Choir’s activities, travel arrangements, scheduling and administration. For 2025 that includes a tour to Northland, Wellington and international tour to Europe. Your role includes tour-managing and leading the touring party and artists on the road. If you like good systems, have attention to detail and work well with creative people, this job could be yours.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work for an iconic national organisation and grow as an arts manager in New Zealand’s vibrant creative sector.

You can find more info about this role on our website choirs.nz/jobs

Get in touch now or send your application to joinus@choirsnz.co.nz no later than 12noon 20 January 2025.

Interviews will take place before 25 January and immediate start is possible.

Location: Wellington (preferred)

Essential: previous Tour Management experience

0.8 FTE to Full-Time

Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand (CANZ) continues to thrive and we are looking for new Trustees with specific skills. We’d love to hear from you and invite you to send your governance CV to canztrustees@gmail.com by 10 December 2024. If you have any questions you can contact us at this email address.

The CANZ Trust governs three national choirs with great domestic and international reputations – NZ Secondary Students Choir, NZ Youth Choir and Voices NZ. CANZ also delivers a national choral Academy and an Outreach and Engagement programme.

The Trust is a dynamic organisation which aspires to and achieves artistic excellence while developing the artists and contributing to  the place of New Zealand contemporary vocal music with commissions and performances of New Zealand works. We have excellent working relationships with our major funding organisational partners – Creative New Zealand, Infratil and NZ Community Trust – and enjoy the generous sponsorship and donor relationships with a wide variety of committed individuals. Our highly capable management team is complemented by the top artistic talent we attract.

We would like to hear from people who appreciate excellence in artistic performance and the creative arts, and have the governance skills to make a difference for our top quality endeavours.  The Trustees have a strong governance focus, currently meeting 5 times a year, generally online for a couple of hours, with one more strategically focussed face-to-face meeting for around half a day.

CANZ Trust Board

We are seeking the following skills in particular:

1. education – skills and knowledge to help us with policy settings in particular for the NZ Secondary Students Choir and the Aotearoa New Zealand Academy Choir
2. arts administration – experience working with arts organizations and managing events, festivals or tours
3. political or business networks – someone who has networks and connections which may help us open doors and/or the skills to support the CE turn these into actionable opportunities
4. capability and experience to support the embedding of CANZ’s approach to partnering with Māori and Pasifika that is commensurate with our role as a national organisation, and build on the good things already happening in this area
5. governance and leadership experience – help us ensure we’re considering the right detail at a board level to shape and influence the direction of the organisation

Celebrated New Zealand choir director Dr Karen Grylls CNZM has announced that 2024 will be her final year as Artistic Director for Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand (CANZ) – the body that manages the country’s four national choirs – as she signals a shift to a new role as Artistic Director Emerita.

Karen has been involved with the national choirs since 1989 when she was appointed music director for New Zealand Youth Choir (NZYC). In 1998, Grylls founded Voices New Zealand chamber choir, our premier national choir, directing both Voices NZ and NZYC for the next 13 years. She’s been Voices’ music director for 26 years now, a role she will continue until the end of 2025 when, Karen says, “It will be time to hand over the reins”.

“Karen’s contribution to our national choirs has been remarkable, and thousands of singers have benefited from her expertise and generosity,” says CANZ Chief Executive, Arne Herrmann, “Her ability to take a sound, a choir, to the next level is second-to-none, and the array of awards her choirs have received is testament to this. Karen’s influence has shaped CANZ into an organisation of excellence with a hunger for quality and musical exploration.”

In 2023, Karen was recognised in the King’s Birthday and Coronation Honours as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her exceptional contributions to the world of choral music. Karen says that as music director of both the NZ Youth Choir and Voices NZ, her highlights have included NZYC being named “Choir of the World” at the 1999 International Music Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales, and just a week later the choir winning the “Grand Prix Slovakia” while on an international tour. “In 2004, we took part in the 43rd International Choral Competition in Gorizia, Italy, and at the 2005 NZ Music Awards our CD, Gaude, was a finalist for Best Classical Album,” Karen says.

Voices New Zealand made its début at the 1998 New Zealand International Arts Festival and later that year won awards at the Tolosa International Choral Competition in Spain. Karen says she’s particularly proud of winning a 2006 NZ Music Tui Award for Best Classical Disc for Spirit of the Land, the 2016 one-off, sell-out New Zealand Festival gala recital with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and the 2018 concerts with The King’s Singers, London, at the New Zealand Festival and the Auckland Arts Festival to celebrate the choirs’ respective anniversaries – 50 years for The Kings Singers and 20 for Voices NZ. In collaboration with taonga puoro artist and composer, Horomona Horo, Voices represented New Zealand at the 2011 World Choral Symposium in Patagonia, and in 2018 toured to the UK, France, Germany and Spain.

“The 90s were watershed years for me, when the relationship with Ngāpō and Pimia Wehi, legendary kapa haka exponents, and the national choirs began. There were joint performances by the NZ Youth Choir and Te Waka Huia at Holy Trinity Cathedral and at the Sydney Opera House during the 1996 World Choral Symposium,” says Karen, “The relationship with Aroha Cassidy-Nanai that followed was one of the most remarkable times for the choir as we were gifted Wehi compositions to perform. The more than 30-year relationship continues today with a new Youth Choir commission from Ngāpō and Pimia’s granddaughter, Tuirina Wehi.”

Karen says she is excited to continue her relationship with CANZ as Artistic Director Emerita; sharing her expertise and experience with the organisation and its people. She’s looking forward to having more time to devote to mentoring and teaching and is passionate about her work with the New Zealand Children’s Choral Academy, of which she is co-artistic director. Karen is also Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Auckland, working with young conductors. 2025 will be another busy year for Karen as she continues her role as Music Director for Voices NZ, with the year culminating in an international tour. No doubt there will also be one, or many, celebrations of Karen and her incredible contribution to the national choirs so far: “It’s been a privilege,” she says.

For more information:

Rachel Healy, Publicist, T: 027 2706105, E: rachel@rachelhealy.co.nz or
Arne Herrmann, Chief Executive, T:027 2761751, E: ceo@choirsnz.co.nz

Meet Fergus – the 2024 Composer in Residence at Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand!

Originally from Taupō, Fergus Byett moved to Hamilton in 2019 to study Classical Performance (Piano) at the University of Waikato. With the support of a Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship, he completed his undergraduate studies under Katherine Austin, and in 2023 he completed his Masters under Dr. Rae de Lisle. In the same year, Fergus won the University of Waikato Concerto Competition, Bach Competition and Chamber Music Competition, as well as Recital and Concerto classes at the 2023 Hamilton Competitions. His compositions have won national awards, including in the ‘Compose Aotearoa!’ Composition Competition, and in 2024, he currently holds Composer-in-Residence roles with Choirs Aotearoa and the Auckland Youth Choir. He has also completed several commissions for community ensembles in the Waikato. He is a collaborative pianist at the University of Waikato, where he has also worked as a music theory and piano tutor, and he is a founding Artistic Director of the Waikato Youth Choir. Fergus is one of the organists at the Waikato Cathedral Church of St. Peter, where he has accompanied the Cathedral Singers since 2023. As a Summer Research Scholar, Fergus also worked on an article which has now been published in the British Journal of Music Education, and he is a fluent speaker of te reo Māori, having recently completed a Level 7 Diploma through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.