"Choir of the World"
30 Jul 2025
Our hearty congratulations go to the New Zealand Youth Choir and their Music Director David Squire on winning the "Choir of the World" title at the 2025 International Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales!
But winning the coveted title in Llangollen was just one of a number of competition wins on an international tour packed with fine performances, memorable collaborations and cultural exchanges.
The Youth Choir's tour began with a brief stop in Singapore that included two performances at the Gardens by the Bay, hosted by the New Zealand High Commissioner, and a collaborative concert with Voices of Singapore and the Portland State Chamber Choir at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.
Next stop: Denmark, where they gave a concert in Copenhagen before travelling to Aarhus for the European Choir Games. NZYC participated in the Parade of Nations and a friendship concert with choirs from Bulgaria, Sweden, and Germany before going on to win the Folklore section of the Grand Prix of Nations and a second gold medal in the Musica Sacra a cappella section.
England
Bookending the choir's time in Llangollen were acclaimed performances at Sinfonia Smith Square, the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford, and workshops with the National Youth Choir of Great Britain and the Barnsley Youth Choir. In a Facebook post, the NZYC said “it has been an absolute pleasure to work with @barnsleyyouthchoir over the last couple days, both on a collaborative concert and workshopping with their children’s, intermediate, and youth choirs. The Barnsley choral community is truly something special and we are so grateful that they shared their music, hospitality, and community with us.”
NZYC's winning performances at the Llangollen Eisteddfod demonstrated how accomplished the choir is, and how well prepared they were for the tour. (Watch their Choir of the World performance).
MP Rachel Boyack - a former member of NZ Youth Choir herself - wrote in an article for The Spinoff: "I’ve been struck by the joy the choir has when they perform, and the obvious respect they have for each other, and the choir leadership. It’s hard to pull together a group of fifty 18-25 year-olds from across New Zealand and turn them into a well-oiled team, but that is exactly what music director David Squire, assistant music director Michael Stewart and vocal consultant Morag Atchison have done."
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon sent a video message to NZYC in which he thanked the choir for “representing the very best of New Zealand to the World”.
David Squire’s exceptional leadership was recognised by the Eisteddfod adjudicators, who awarded him the Jayne Davies Conductor’s Prize for Most Inspirational Conductor. Receiving this accolade was a tremendous high point on which to end David's 15-year tenure as conductor of the New Zealand Youth Choir. NZCF congratulates the choir and their music team and administration, not only for their competition wins, but for the admirable role they play as cultural and choral ambassadors!