New Zealand Youth Choir has won the top award at an international competition in Wales.
The singers, aged between 18 and 25, have been awarded Choir of the World at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales.
The choir blends waiata and kapa haka with traditional choral repertoire. It is comprised of around 50 singers and operates on a three-year membership.
The award came hot on the heels of another win at the European Choir Games in Denmark earlier in the week, where they won the Grand Prix of Nations, with a score of 97.5 in the Folklore Category.
The judges called the New Zealand choir the true spirit of Aotearoa.
Labour Arts, Culture and Heritage spokesperson Rachel Boyack congratulated the New Zealand Youth Choir on their win.
“These outstanding young singers are incredible ambassadors for Aotearoa New Zealand on the world stage,” Boyack said.
“I watched their winning set this morning after waking up to hear this very exciting news. I’ve been lucky to see the choir perform this year, including at Waitangi on Waitangi Day, and it is incredible to see how much they’ve achieved. I am hugely proud of every one of them.”
The New Zealand Youth Choir last won the title of “Choir of the World” in 1999.
rnz.co.nz
