Record numbers at recent Kids Sings

1 Oct 2026

Two recent Kids Sing festivals offer plenty of reasons to feel optimistic about the future of choral music. More than 3,000 children from 73 schools took part across the two events, demonstrating the enthusiasm that exists for singing when opportunities are available. The impact extends well beyond music education, as one teacher reflected: “The Kids Sing is nourishing our tamariki so holistically, not to mention the development of their musicianship, singing and performance skills.”

The Kids Sing Auckland - Auckland Town Hall, 7-9 September 

This year's Kids Sing Auckland festival featured the largest participation in the event’s history, with almost 3,000 children from 64 schools taking part across three days. For the first time, the festival opened with a massed singing day directed by Megan Flint, bringing together choirs from 16 schools to rehearse repertoire from NZCF’s Let’s Get Singing video series. The combined choir (pictured above)then performed to a sold-out audience at Monday evening’s gala concert, alongside guest performers NZ Children’s Choral Academy and Tau Malolo Ha Niue.

Over the following two days, 48 choirs presented individual recital performances and received feedback from adjudicator David Squire. Andrew Withington’s beautiful arrangement of Hine e Hine was adapted for treble voices as the 2026 Kids Sing test piece. It was a joy to return to Auckland Town Hall and hear the sound of children’s voices filling the venue to capacity audiences.

 

 

Events of this size don't happen without a dedicated team behind the scenes. Our heartfelt thanks to Auckland Events Coordinator Maria Winder for her outstanding work bringing together so many choirs and making the festival possible. We are also grateful to massed choir director Megan Flint, adjudicator David Squire, and accompanists  Lynnette Leggett, Felicity Auva’a, Sofia Onishko, and Juan Kim for their invaluable contributions..

The impact of The Kids Sing is summed up beautifully by one teacher: "I can't think of any other school based activity that can tick so many boxes. The Kids Sing is nourishing our tamariki so holistically, not to mention the development of their musicianship, singing and performance skills. It is inclusive and generates such joy and pride. It showcases New Zealand composers. It is hugely beneficial for the teachers too, who all learn from each other. The children learn to delay gratification, to work hard for a distant goal, to be supportive of the efforts of others and to strive together, even when it's hard, to make music they are proud of. Thank you NZCF!"
 

The Kids Sing East Coast - Toitoi Hawke's Bay Arts & Events Centre, Hastings, 14 September 

A total of 375 children took part in The Kids Sing East Coast, with eight choirs from six schools joined by the Project Prima Volta Junior Choir. NZCF Event Manager Emma Billings attended the festival and said:

“I always love going to The Kids Sing East Coast at the beautiful Toitoi Arts and Events Centre in Hastings, and this year was no exception. The choirs involved put on a wonderful show full of fantastic singing and enthusiastic choreography. Congratulations to all of the choirs who took part."

A special thank you to adjudicator Megan Flint, who not only provided thoughtful feedback throughout the festival but also rehearsed and conducted a delightful massed choir performance of The Friendship Canon, a song built around a single word, "friend", sung in many different languages.

We are also deeply grateful to Suzanne Russell, NZCF's East Coast Events Manager, who expertly coordinated the festival while also accompanying a number of performances on the piano. We are incredibly fortunate to have such dedicated and talented people contributing to the success of our events.

     

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