Bringing Singing to our Civic Spaces
30 Sept 2026
Choir members come together for many reasons, from community connection and wellbeing to culture, faith and friendship, but all share a love of singing. That diversity was on display at this year's Canterbury SingFest and Wellington's Sing in the City, where singers and audiences came together in two magnificent civic venues to celebrate the richness and variety of choral music in Aotearoa.
NZCF Canterbury SingFest
Saturday 12 September, Christchurch Art Gallery Foyer
SingFest Canterbury brought more than 200 singers together for a day of performance, learning and connection at the Christchurch Art Gallery. Nine local choirs performed across four hours of music to the largest audience the event has attracted so far, before singers came together for a workshop led by Helen Charlton in the Philip Carter Family Auditorium.
Reflecting the breadth and diversity of Canterbury’s choral scene, the performers included Cantabile Choir, Christchurch City Chorus, Singmates, St Albans Community Choir, The Canterbury Lawyers’ Choir, The Cecilian Singers, Voices Co. Crew Plus, Women in Harmony, and Open Song & Rockers of Ages, two choirs from The Muse that combined for the day.
Event Coordinator Caitlin Godfrey said the event's built-in audience and short performance slots made it an attractive and accessible opportunity for local choirs.
One participating director commented that presenting 15 to 20 minutes of repertoire was far more manageable than mounting a full concert, while still enjoying a large and supportive audience.
The day concluded with a relaxed workshop led by Helen Charlton, giving singers the opportunity to mingle, learn new techniques and enjoy making music together.
NZCF Wellington's Sing in the City
Saturday 19 September, Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui | Central Library
Sing in the City brought eight choirs to Wellington’s newly reopened Central Library, Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui, where they performed to a steady stream of library visitors and choral enthusiasts. The event celebrated the remarkable diversity of Wellington’s singing community, with choirs united by causes, cultures, communities and a shared love of singing.
The event was initiated by NZCF Wellington's regional representative Jane McKinlay, who reported:
“It was such a pleasure singing in Te Matapihi ki te ao nui with library goers dropping by for a listen to the wonderful variety of singing groups in Wellington. There was great collaboration between the choirs, with one director leading two groups and playing for another, and some singers performing across 2-3 choirs."
Performers included the Choristers of Wellington Cathedral of St Paul (children's choir), The Doubtful Sounds (an a cappella pop choir), For Future’s Sake (a protest choir), Porirua Sing Your Lungs Out (a therapeutic choir), the Karori Community Choir, The Glamaphones (rainbow community choir), Wellington Young Voices (children's choir), The Tudor Consort (early music vocal ensemble) and Whakaahuru Gentle Singers (who provide comfort for people near the end of life).
Our thanks go to Caitlin Godfrey (Canterbury) and Jane McKinlay (Wellington) for coordinating these vibrant community events.
More SingFests coming up in 2026:
* 4 October – Taranaki – St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, New Plymouth
* November – Auckland Museum
* 15 November - Invercargill