Thursday 17 June was a much anticipated date for all of the region's choirs. Choirs throughout NZ work for months to hone their vocal skills and gather once a year in their regions to present a programme of pieces before a choral adjudicator in the hopes of gaining a recommendation through to the National Big Sing Finale or Cadenza.

Last Thursday, close to 500 singers from 24 choirs around the Waikato-Bay of Plenty region performed at Holy Trinity Church, amongst them our own groups, the "LBD's" (Little Black Dresses) and Luminosa Armonia Chorale.

Described by the adjudicator as "elegant, well dressed young women singing with efficiency, confidence and pride", the LBDs delivered a stylish performance of  three contemporary numbers including Bonnie Tyler's "Holding Out for a Hero", Taylor Swift's "Safe and Sound" and a choreographed number from Mamma Mia "Supertrouper". Their efforts were rewarded with rapturous applause from their audience and later in the day they received a Highly Commended Award (Silver).

After listening to a series of stunning choral performances from several extremely good choirs the Chorale was the final choir of the day and the pressure was on. Months of hard work was at stake and for the Year 13's, this was their last shot to win the coveted Excel Cup. With repertoire that was both sophisticated and musically and technically demanding, could they pull off a perfect performance? Nerves ran high and the audience was absolutely silent as the group sang, first David Hamilton's "A Charm for Rain - He Tua i te Rangi" followed by Ola Gjeilo's "Northern Lights". Then, complete with top hats, canes and a tap routine, the group sassed and grooved their way through "Puttin' on the Ritz" by Irving Berlin and the audience broke into loud applause. It was over. Everyone could breathe again!

It was a nervous wait for the awards ceremony and the adjudicator kept everyone on the edge of their seats waiting for the announcement of the supreme award.....

"Very highly commended (Gold), the award for the best performance of a European art work and the Excel Cup for the best choir of the region goes to...... a choir with "t" in its name......(long dramatic pause) from Tauranga Girls' College.... Luminosa Armonia Chorale".

Congratulations to both choirs, their soloists Ansh Dhot, Hemorere Heke-Ririnui, and Charlene Anderson, and to their accompanying pianists and backing bands for their superb performances on the day.