From the earliest days of European settlement in New Zealand, communities have formed choirs. Large choirs, for example, the Royal Christchurch Musical Society, had membership of up to two hundred singers. These choirs are divided into four sections : Soprano - high female voice; Contralto - low female voice; Tenor - high male voice; Bass - low male voice. As well as large choirs, there are many women's choirs, male voice choirs, and smaller mixed (male and female) choirs, which sometimes specialise in a particular genre of music, for example, Baroque, or Contemporary, or Gospel music. There are choirs of every culture, including Maori (concert parties, Kapa Haka) and Samoan. Many of our finest singers, composers and musicians have had significant music education through their involvement in school, church, and community and cultural choirs. Our New Zealand Youth Choir is one of the leading youth choirs in the world. New Zealanders love to sing!

In this section you will find a selection of audio, and images depicting choirs in New Zealand.