Five successful SingFests!

5 Nov 2025

_{Five regional SingFests have taken place in the past two months, involving a total of 40 choirs plus several individual singers.}

Each SingFest had a unique style and focus, but they all had the common goal of sharing a love of singing with each other and their communities. These annual regional choral festivals are a wonderful opportunity for choirs to get together within their regions, perform for and with each other and the public, and enliven their cities and towns with choral buzz.

NZCF regions Canterbury-West Coast, Waikato-Bay of Plenty, Auckland-Northland, Taranaki and Southland all held their SingFests in September and October, which you can read about below. Sadly, Otago had to postpone their event due to the storm that hit the region. Scroll down for details of their rescheduled SingFest and be sure to head along if you're in the neighbourhood!

Canterbury SingFest - 13 September

Photo 5 The Vocal Collective SingFest25 in Christchurch featured 8 local singing groups (174 singers in total) performing in the beautiful Great Hall at the Arts Centre, and in the foyer of the Art Gallery - a local favourite! A variety of styles and tones graced the audiences, from contemporary a cappella to choral classics, jazz and musical theatre standards to traditional waiata. A couple of quartets from Christchurch City Chorus also sang on the trams around midday, to serenade passengers on their tours around the city! It was wonderful to have some first-time SingFest groups joining some regulars, and we're looking forward to welcoming back even more groups next year!

Photo 6 Chch City Chorus The choirs enjoyed the opportunity to be out and about performing in the city, and it was great to see so many members of the public stopping in for a little entertainment in the middle of their day!

Participating choirs: Women in Harmony, The Vocal Collective, Christchurch City Chorus, Christchurch Liedertafel Male Voice Choir, Jabulani & Tectonic Tones,; Cantabile Choir, and first-time participants Voices Co. Crew Plus and Showbiz Showstoppers Singers.

Thanks to NZCF Canterbury-West Coast Coordinator Caitlin Godfrey.

Waikato-Bay of Plenty SingFest - 3 October

Wai Bop This year's Waikato-Bay of Plenty SingFest was held at Cambridge Town Hall on Saturday October 4th from 10am – 2 pm. The day was hosted by the local Mosaic Community Choir. Seven choirs attended, with individual members from two others – about 200 participating in total.

Each choir's music director led the massed group in one warm-up at the start of the day, which was a great icebreaker. Then Brooke Baker, Mosaic’s Music Director, prepared and led the massed singing in the morning. She brought huge energy and expertise to the task and had everyone singing and enjoying themselves from the start.
Coordinator Bonnie Hebenton reported that is was a fun day, and singers really appreciated seeing and hearing a variety of choir styles and skill levels.

Participating choirs: Male Voices Waikato (Hamilton), Matamata Community Choir, Morrinsville Community Choir, Mosaic Community Choir (Cambridge), Soundswell Community Choir (Tauranga), Tauranga Civic Choir, Te Aroha Community Choir, and individuals from Katikati Muraltown Singers and Cantando Choir (Hamilton).

Thanks to NZCF Waikato-Bay of Plenty Coordinator, Bonnie Hebenton.

Auckland SingFest - 11 October

Auckland Workshop The Auckland-Northland SingFest was an all-day event held in the Dorothy Winstone Centre at Auckland Girls Grammar. Approximately 176 singers participated from 8 choirs, and they had the chance to learn and perform individually and as a massed choir.

The morning featured three fascinating workshops, with:
- Steven Rapana working on a Waiata – Ka Waiata ki a Maria
- Dr Opeloge Ah Sam working on a Samoan piece – Mua O (The Call)
- Seumanu Simon Matāfai working on a Gospel piece – This Little Light of Mine

In the afternoon each choir presented a 10 minute performance and the massed choir rehearsed the three items workshopped in the morning. The day concluded with an early evening public performance, with each choir performing one item and giving a rousing performance of the massed items.

Auckland Group

Participating choirs: All Together Now, Chasing Grace, The Voice of Fragrant Rhythm, Kaitaia Community Voices, City of Auckland Singers, Heaven Bent, Marcellin College Choir, Auckland Gospel Choir and Avondale College Gospel Choir – plus about 20 individual singers.

Thanks to NZCF Auckland-Northland Coordinator Maria Winder and her team.

Taranaki SingFest 12 October

Eight choirs - approximately 140 singers - joined together for an afternoon concert to celebrate song and to support their local community. Each choir performed a bracket, resulting in a wonderfully varied concert.

Coordinator Jeff Grange and his team had the inspired idea to support the New Plymouth Foodbank by making entry to the concert via a donation of food or cash. The audience gave generously, so that a substantial donation could be made to the foodbank.

Participating choirs: City Sounds, Sunshine Singers, The Madrigal Companie, Ombre, Eve, Taranaki Harmony Chorus, Ars Nova and Living Harmony.

Thanks to NZCF Taranaki Coordinator Jeff Grange and his team.

Taranaki Cropped Taranaki Foodbank Donations

Southland SingFest 19 October

Invercargill The Ensemble A wonderful time was had by all at the Southland SingFest, which was held at First Church in Invercargill and featured 8 choirs comprising 142 singers in total.

The choirs did a superb job and really showcased their love of singing. An impressive audience of 200 was treated to a varied programme and responded with appreciative applause. The event concluded with afternoon tea afterwards, which was a great chance for singers and audience members to connect and chat.

Participating choirs: A Capella, Foveaux Harmony Chorus, Gospel Plus, Saints All-Male Choir, South City Community Choir, The Ensemble, Uniquely Us and Winton Men’s Choir.

Thanks to NZCF Southland Coordinator, Sarah Rae.

But wait, there's more!

Otago - Thursday 13 November, 2025
Knox Church, 449 George Street, Dunedin North

NZCF presents SingFest Otago, an evening of choral performances by community choirs throughout the Otago region. Each choir will perform two pieces, with Rosemary Tarbotton conducting several combined items.

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