Life Membership for Shona McIntyre-Bull
29 Sept 2026
At Auckland’s Kids Sing last month, NZCF awarded a life membership to Shona McIntyre-Bull for her extraordinary contribution to choral music in Aotearoa New Zealand - as a singer, educator, mentor, adjudicator, administrator, and advocate for young singers.
Shona’s commitment to choral music in New Zealand over the last four decades has been extensive. She has sung at the highest levels, as a soloist and most notably as a core member of the Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir for over 20 years. As a teacher, Music Advisor to Schools in Auckland and lecturer in Music Education at the Auckland College of Education, she inspired countless students and teachers. As an adjudicator, Shona judged both the regional and Finale festivals of the Secondary Schools Choral Festivals (precursor to The Big Sing) and served on the Auckland organising committee.
Shona has been a very effective administrator. She was employed by NZCF for two years as the Events & Membership Services Manager, she provided leadership and expertise to the NZCF Auckland Regional Committee, the NZCF Education Group, the National Executive and most recently on its Governance Board.
It was fitting that the life membership was announced and given to Shona at the Kids Sing in Auckland. In 1998, Shona and Leonie Lawson had established the Young Voices Choral Awards, providing a platform for primary-aged choirs to perform and receive expert comment. Their vision and advocacy led directly to NZCF adopting and expanding the event to The Kids Sing, that is now held in all NZCF’s regions.
Shona’s service has been outstanding and it is with gratitude that NZCF awarded her with Life Membership.