Congratulations to Jesse Wallace, who is the national winner of the NZCF-SOUNZ Choral Composition Competition that runs alongside The Big Sing competition.

Adjudicator Eve de Castro-Robinson wrote: "The entries for this competition were a treasure trove of attractive works. I was impressed by the overall standard of writing, with all students handling the choral forces well. Each composer chose their unique text and accompanying instruments with sensitivity, often creating a strikingly original setting.

Jesse Wallace’s winning work A Winter Evening stood above many as an outstanding and mature work for a Year 11 student, with a palpable sense of flow and momentum."

Jesse's composition was recorded by Auckland Chamber Choir Luminata Voices and was played during The Big Sing Finale Gala Concert at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington on 31 August. He was then presented with the Choral Competition Trophy.

You can watch the performance of Jesse's composition A Winter Evening below (forward to 1.20.23)