Source: RNZ
The Big Sing National Finale features performances from the top secondary school choirs in the country, selected from hundreds of choirs that competed at the 2026 regional festivals. Watch all the Finale sessions live from the Christchurch Town Hall here.
You can also watch these sessions on the RNZ Concert Facebook Page. The Big Sing is presented by the New Zealand Choral Federation. Video produced by JX Live. Sound produced by RNZ Concert.
Here is when to watch:
Thursday 27 August
Opening Ceremony – 12.00pm
Session 1 – 2.00pm–3.30pm
Session 2 – 5.00pm–6.30pm
Session 3 – 8.00pm–9.30pm
Friday 28 August
Session 4 – 11.00am–12.15pm
Session 5 – 1.30pm–2.50pm
Session 6 – 3.45pm–5.00pm
Session 7 – 6.30pm–8.00pm
Saturday 29 August
Session 8 – 11.00am-12.15pm
Gala Concert – 6.30pm-10.30pm
The Big Sing Finale Gala concert will be broadcast during Music Alive on RNZ Concert, 7pm Friday 11 September 2026. Here's how to listen. The compere is Miriama Kamo. The massed item is Hine e Hine, composed by Princess Te Rangi Pai, arr. Andrew Withington, conducted by Susan Densem.
These are the choirs performing in The Big Sing Finale 2026
Choir Name - School - Choir Director(s)
Ad Lucem - Napier Girls’ High School - Christopher Atkinson
Bel Canto - Burnside High School - Susan Densem
Bel Suono - Waikato Diocesan School - Maria Colvin
Blue Notes - Tawa College - Isaac Stone
Cantare - Westlake Girls High School - Fiona Wilson
Choralation - Westlake Girls High School & Westlake Boys High School - Fiona Wilson
Con Anima - St Patrick’s College, Wellington - Mark Bobb
Euphony - Kristin School - David Squire
Fortissimo - Dilworth School - Jacob Moore
Kentoris - Saint Kentigern College - Matthew Leese
Macleans College Chorale - Macleans College - Sarah McNabb
MANifesto - Palmerston North Boys’ High School - Graeme Young
Ngā Korimako - Wellington College & Wellington Girls’ College - Michael Fletcher
Ngā Manu Tīoriori - St Andrew’s College - Jared Corbett
Paradisum - Epsom Girls’ Grammar School - Virginia Le Cren
Rāwhiti - Wellington East Girls’ College - Kathryn Hunt
Resolutions - Rangi Ruru Girls’ School - Helen Charlton
Saints Alive - St Cuthbert’s College - Denzel Panama
Seraphim - Chilton Saint James School - Rowan Johnston
Serenata - Rangitoto College - Rhianna Maker / Karen Roberts
St Cecilia Singers - Diocesan School for Girls - Jono Palmer
Takapuna Grammar School Chorale - Takapuna Grammar School - David Squire
The Centennial Choir - Mount Albert Grammar School - Terence Maskell
Voicemale - Westlake Boys High School - David Squire
The National Finale Adjudicators for 2026:
David Childs is a music instructor at Dallas College where he teaches Vocal Ensemble, Piano, Theory, Composition, Conducting, Music Appreciation, and Voice. He has previously served as an adjunct professor at the University of North Texas, and at Dallas College’s North Lake campus. An active conductor, clinician, and composer, David has led numerous choirs across the United States, New Zealand, and Japan. His compositions have been performed worldwide, and he remains in high demand for commissioned work
Soprano Madeleine Pierard was the 2005 Lexus Song Quest winner, an Arts Foundation of New Zealand New Generation Artist and a Jette Parker Young Artist with The Royal Opera in London, where she has since sung numerous roles whilst freelancing internationally. Madeleine’s recent concert appearances include Beethoven’s 9th Symphony at the Barbican in London, Britten’s War Requiem at Cadogan Hall (London) and appearances and recordings with the NZSO. A noted recitalist, she has appeared alongside Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, and at the Wigmore Hall and The Royal Opera House
Tim Wayne-Wright is a former member of the Grammy Award-winning a cappella vocal ensemble, The King’s Singers. He toured the world for 10 years, singing over 1500 concerts in some of the world’s greatest venues. Tim has taught over 500 masterclasses and workshops, imparting chamber music skills and techniques to choirs and instrumentalists across the globe. Since leaving The King’s Singers in 2018, he continues to thrive as part of the choral scene internationally.
Pasifika Award Adjudicator
Dr Siliva Gaugatao Afamasaga Niulēvāea Tofilau Dr Siliva Gaugatao is a champion of Pacific choral music, languages, and education. An experienced composer, music director, conductor, and educator, he has worked with ensembles ranging from children’s and Sunday school choirs to secondary school, church, community, and New Zealand’s national choirs. He is the adjudicator for The Big Sing Pasifika Award for the best performance of a piece in a Pasifika language. This new award is proudly sponsored by the office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific – University of Auckland.
Auahi Kore Award Adjudicator
Liz Kereru comes from a strong musical background and is an accomplished composer of Māori waiata. She is also an experienced exponent in the Māori performing arts drawing on the knowledge, traditions and teachings passed down to her by her kaumātua. Liz is a dedicated teacher and advocate of te reo Māori, with a strong commitment to the preservation, development, and transmission of mātauranga Māori. She is the adjudicator of the Auahi Kore Award for the best performance of a piece in te reo Māori.