Congratulations to Ngā Korimako for being awarded a Silver Award at the Big Sing Finale! This is a fabulous achievement and caps off a year of hard work and dedication.

Please enjoy some of the Ngā Korimako singers' remarks about their experiences at Finale:

It was such an awesome event to be a part of because not only were we able to become closer as a choir, we also had the chance to meet other people from all around Aotearoa! I learnt so much during the festival just by watching all the amazing choirs and listening to their programs.

-Rosa McGann, Year 13

As I see it, Finale isn't really about national competition. Of course, that aspect of it adds to the exciting atmosphere, but first and foremost Finale is a celebration of the strong, diverse college choral community of New Zealand. On stage, you can feel that the hall is filled with support and shared passion, rather than tension - that's why I love the event so much. 

-Teresa Ng, Year 13

It was such a great opportunity to listen to choirs from all around the country and learn from their techniques. 

I loved being able to meet so many people who did the same thing as us.

-Savannah Pittaway, Year 13

Finale is usually the highlight of my choir year! You’re surrounded by so many different people from all around the country; all passionate about the same thing as you: choral singing! It takes a lot of hard work to make it to Finale, so it’s great to be with people your age who put in the same effort as you. Everyone is super supportive and the performances are incredible (my favs have got to be Avondale and Manurewa), it’s just a good time all around and you make friends with people in different schools in other parts of the country. 

-Esha Anwar, Year 12

The Big Sing Finale is always a highlight of my year. 

The feeling of being surrounded by the most lovely, supportive and talented people is something I have never experienced anywhere else. I think that is one of the special things about the music community in general. Everyone is so friendly. You'll be up on stage and that one random girl you talked to for 3 minutes in the bathroom is cheering loudly and giving you a standing ovation. 

There is also the amazing and diverse repertoire performed by secondary students from all over the country. Pieces range from pop anthems to ancient church Slavonic and everything in between. You can learn so much about different cultures and genres just by listening. 

Although I wasn't able to perform this year, I loved watching my friends sing the pieces we had been perfecting through many long rehearsals. It is so gratifying to see a year's worth of hard work paying off. I am so proud of the choir for getting a silver award and being one of the top 24 in the country. 

-Holly, Year 12

Big Sing was such a fun event last year and this time it was no different. It was really exciting that it was in Wellington, as we got to act as hosts and representatives for our wonderful city, even if the weather wasn't so nice. My highlights are getting to hear all the other amazing choirs and get to perform pieces we've worked so hard on all year!

-Orla Sweeney, Year 12