The Big Sing – Wellington Regionals – Press Release
The central city will be humming with the sound of young voices in song on Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 June as 44
secondary school choirs descend upon the Michael Fowler Centre for the annual Big Sing regional competition.
The Big Sing has been a firm fixture on the choral calendar in regions throughout New Zealand for over 20 years. In
Wellington it has developed a special position, with a supportive festival-like atmosphere amongst the entrants, and
participation rates that would be unimaginable almost anywhere else.
Each choir will present three pieces in a 10-minute bracket during daytime sessions, including an art song and one with
New Zealand or Pacifica origins. From those sets, they select one item to perform as part of the evening's Gala concert.
At the conclusion of each Gala concert, this year's Adjudicator (renowned singer and choral director Pepe Becker) will
have the task of awarding category prizes in an increasingly deep pool of talent, recognising the outstanding skills of
our regional choirs. And for many choirs, the focus is on qualifying in the Big Sing Finale for which only 24 choirs are
chosen nationally, which will be staged in Auckland in August this year.
The wider public are encouraged to come along and support these talented choristers as they start what will hopefully be
lifelong passions. The day sessions will begin at 10.30am and 2.15pm each day, with a small charge of $3 per session
(door sales only). The evening Gala concerts will begin at 7.00pm, with tickets available from Ticketek ($16/$10 +
Booking Fee).