Voices in Harmony, Minds in Motion

29 Apr 2026

Last month, NZCF's Chief Executive Christine Argyle travelled to Geelong to attend Choralfest 2026, presented by the Australian National Choral Association (ANCA). She shares her impressions...

With the theme Voices in Harmony, Minds in Motion, Choralfest offered four inspiring and rewarding days of professional development and connection for the 220+ delegates who attended. Twenty‑four presenters, including two outstanding international practitioners — Catherine Fender (France) and Gints Ceplenieks (Latvia) — offered a wide range of topics. Each of the 14 presentations I attended was thought‑provoking, ranging from innovative concert programming to vocal health, and from inclusive choral practice to international repertoire.

The Choralfest concert series was a real highlight. More than 1,300 singers from 44 choirs took part in a total of 30 concerts held at Deakin University and around central Geelong. I managed to hear 24 of the choirs, including the City of Auckland Singers, who represented Aotearoa New Zealand with engaging performances under the direction of Sue Murray. The diversity of ensembles was wonderful — encompassing top‑level chamber ensembles, pop choirs, Barbershop and Sweet Adeline choruses, and Australian‑based Ukrainian, Latvian and Filipino choirs — and I even found myself compèring one of the vibrant Choirs in the City concerts.

I was also honoured to be invited as a panellist for the Strategic Futures for Choral Music in Australia discussion, chaired by Debra Shearer‑Dirié. The discussion explored how the choral sector can remain relevant, inclusive and sustainable in a changing cultural landscape, and what visionary steps might shape its development over the coming decades. It was a privilege to contribute a New Zealand perspective to this important conversation.

I was by no means the only Kiwi at Choralfest: William McElwee presented a session on Gregorian Chant; Chris Bevan soaked up inspiration to take back to Stonefields Choir in Auckland; Wellington‑based Virginie Pacheco had the opportunity to re-connect with her former teacher Catherine Fender; and the City of Auckland Singers brought Pōkarekare Ana and a te reo Māori version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah to appreciative Australian audiences.

Singing in the delegate choir at the final gala concert, flanked by Christie Anderson (our first Cadenza adjudicator) and Debra Shearer‑Dirié (one of our 2025 Big Sing Finale adjudicators), was an uplifting end to the conference.

Above all, what stood out for me was the warmth, generosity and collegiality of the Choralfest community. I felt genuinely welcomed, not just as an individual, but as a representative of NZCF. That hospitality underscored the shared values and aspirations of our choral communities on both sides of the Tasman. I look forward to continued dialogue and collaboration between NZCF and ANCA in the months and years ahead, and I hope many more New Zealand choral musicians will have the chance to experience Choralfest for themselves in the future.

- Christine Argyle, NZCF Chief Executive

Back to News