Founded in 1979, and widely considered the first national youth choir of its kind in the world, the New Zealand Youth Choir has achieved considerable success since its formation, drawing from its unique cultural and geographic origin.
Performances in New Zealand and thirteen international tours including visits to the UK, Europe, Canada, USA, Australia, Singapore, Russia, the Republic of Korea, China and the Pacific Islands have firmly established its reputation for consistency, energy and excellence. One of the Choir’s greatest achievements was winning the 1999 ‘Choir of the World’ title at the International Music Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales. During their 2016 European Landmark Tour, NZYC won the GRAND PRIX at the 2016 IFAS in Pardubice Czech Republic and also all four categories it competed in.
Though the choir excels in many choral artforms, they have been fundamental in ingraining Maāori, Pasifika, and other multicultural work into NZ’s choral spheres. Under current direction of David Squire, one of NZ’s most prominent choral conductors, NZYC continues to do more, do better, and share choral stories of Aotearoa with the world.
