About

ABOUT THE BIG SING
The Secondary Schools’ Choral Festivals began in 1988 as a development of the vocal section of the Westpac Schools’ Chamber Music Contest. From being a very small part of that contest, THE BIG SING has grown into a major highlight of the secondary school music calendar each year. This month, as we celebrate twenty-three years of Secondary Schools’ Choral Festivals, more than 7,500 young people are taking part in regional festivals nationwide, and the number continues to grow each year.

THE BIG SING is a dynamic, national group-singing competition for secondary school students. Festivals are held in June of each year in eleven New Zealand regions. Three nationally-appointed area adjudicators travel to the regional festivals, commenting on the overall performances and providing each participating choir with a written report. At the conclusion of the regional festivals, eighteen choirs are selected to participate in THE BIG SING National Finale and compete bronze, silver, gold and platinum awards. THE BIG SING committee also chooses up to four guest choirs to attend the National Finale and receive additional workshop time.

Goals of THE BIG SING

• To provide opportunities for school choirs to sing in a professional but supportive setting at regional and national levels
• To encourage enjoyment in singing
• To foster excellence in performance and repertoire

Each competing choir is required to present one ten-minute recital. Three songs are performed, with at least one being a New Zealand or Pasifika composition. More than 230 choirs from 150 schools are taking part in the regional festivals this year, which makes THE BIG SING one of the largest competitive events in the country.