FOUR CHOIRS FROM SOUTH AUCKLAND RECEIVE FOUNDATION NORTH FUNDING TO ATTEND THE WORLD CHOIR GAMES
Four choirs from South Auckland have received funding from Foundation North to participate in the 2024 World Choir Games, which will take place in Aotearoa New Zealand this July. This iconic event, the largest choral competition and festival on the planet, will offer these choirs a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform on a global stage.
Foundation North’s funding aims to enhance lives through initiatives that respond to community needs, both now and for generations to come. The organisers of the World Choir Games were awarded a grant to support choirs from South Auckland, covering their registration fees and transport costs. This support has opened up an opportunity for these singers to showcase their skills in front of a wider audience, and carries with it the potential for life-changing experiences.
The choirs who have received support are Fatherz and Sonz from Mangere East, Otara PIC Youth Choir, EFKS Magele I Sisifo and Auckland Pasifika Voices. Participation in the World Choir Games 2024 will allow these choirs to engage with others from around the world, learning from a whole range of cultural and musical traditions. The experience will create lasting connections and continue to inspire their musical endeavours.
Fatherz and Sonz, a community choir established in 2007 by the late Reverend Ron Lau’ese, brings together people from various churches and cultures across Auckland. Known for their powerful renditions of old church songs and hymns, they have performed at church and community events and conducted workshops overseas. Since Reverend Lau’ese's passing in 2023, the choir has continued to honour his memory by uplifting God through their music and fostering community bonds.
“Participating in the World Choir Games has united past and present members of Fatherz and Sonz, spanning 17 years, to honour our late leader and music director, Rev. Ron Lau’ese,” says Bing Roebeck. Though many of us have never met, joining at different times, today we celebrate Rev. Ron's impact on our lives through music and worship, and his lasting influence."
Auckland Pasifika Voices is an all-comers’ choir made up of community members from diverse backgrounds who love singing and connecting to their cultures. This year’s World Choir Games marks their first public performance.
“The World Choir Games will be the choir’s first outing, and the first time a lot of its members will be singing in public. Thanks to the generosity of Foundation North, Auckland Pasifika Voices and its members are able to compete at the highest levels of choral competition, and are excited to do so!” says Fiona Bakulich of Auckland Pasifika Voices.
Martin Mariota of EFKS Magele I Sisifo says, “For a lot of these young people who come from low socio-economic backgrounds, our choir is their safe space where they can express themselves in a positive way and grow in their faith as well as in their Pasifika identity language and culture. Participating in the World Choir Games is an opportunity for these young Pasifika people to look beyond their limitations and challenges that they face in their personal lives. We know that this will open up their eyes to opportunities beyond South Auckland.”
Foundation North firmly believes that supporting the communities of today helps shape the communities of tomorrow. Their commitment to enhancing lives through responsible guardianship of investments and focused funding, anchored by their commitment to Te Tiriti, is evident in this initiative. By bringing choirs from diverse communities into the World Choir Games, Foundation North is fostering cultural exchange and enriching the choral landscape of New Zealand.
Learn more about Foundation North here
For media information, interviews, and images, please contact Siobhan Waterhouse on +64 22 126 4149 or siobhan.waterhouse@wcg2024.co.nz
Freemasons Foundation To Support Seven School Choirs
Seven school choirs from across Tāmaki Makaurau have been generously supported by the Freemasons Foundation to participate in the 2024 World Choir Games, taking place in Aotearoa New Zealand this July. This prestigious event, known for celebrating the joy and diversity of choral music, will offer these young singers an unparalleled opportunity to showcase their talents on a global stage.
Seven school choirs from across Tāmaki Makaurau have been generously supported by the Freemasons Foundation to participate in the 2024 World Choir Games, taking place in Aotearoa New Zealand this July. This prestigious event, known for celebrating the joy and diversity of choral music, will offer these young singers an unparalleled opportunity to showcase their talents on a global stage.
Manurewa High School’s Rewaken Polycation Choir has achieved national recognition by being selected for The Big Sing Finale in 2023, marking the first time in 20 years that a choir from Manurewa has reached this level. Alongside them, the Tuaikaepau Tongan Cultural Group from the same school is renowned for their majestic performances of traditional Tongan culture, including the Lakalaka and contemporary Mate Ma’a Tonga.
Marcellin College’s Marcellin College Voices, comprising 55 passionate singers, draws from the cultural richness of South Auckland, where singing is a significant part of the community identity. Tangaroa College’s Toka Tu Moana is known for their vibrant performances, including a standout appearance at Polyfest this year. Puhinui Primary School’s choir performs a diverse range of music, from spirituals and waiata to show tunes, offering young students a chance to develop and share their talents on a world stage.
Green Bay High School’s Ngā Manawa Tītī sings a variety of genres, from jazz to waiata, providing students with exposure to a broad musical spectrum and the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers. Western Springs College’s Ngā Puna o Waiōrea, a consistently top-ranked kapa haka rōpū, is known for its powerful and moving performances that showcase months of dedicated practice.
The Freemasons' funding will cover fees and transport costs, removing significant barriers to participation and enabling these choirs to experience the magic of the World Choir Games. At the Games, students will engage with choirs from around the world, learning from diverse cultural and musical traditions. Emerging choral conductors, music teachers, and soloists within these choirs will gain confidence from watching and attending workshops with seasoned international choir directors.
“Many of our families would find the costs involved quite prohibitive but a grant such as this opens up an incredible experience for the children and myself,” says Brent Read of Puhinui School. “It is a chance for them to share their talents, learn and develop as performers as well as share their and New Zealand's culture on a world stage, a chance that many would never get to experience otherwise. I am sure it will be a cherished memory for a long time to come, and will bring a great sense of pride and accomplishment to the children and Puhinui School to take part in such an amazing event.”
The World Choir Games was established in 2000 by the German arts tourism company INTERKULTUR and has grown to become the largest choral festival and competition in the world. Held every two years, it typically attracts 200 to 400 choirs from around the globe and is known for fostering an atmosphere of creativity, unity, and joy among a host of diverse nations.
In partnership with the New Zealand Choral Federation, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, the 13th World Choir Games will take place in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland from 10 to 20 July 2024.
Learn more about Freemason’s Foundation here
For media information, interviews, and images, please contact Siobhan Waterhouse on +64 22 126 4149 or siobhan.waterhouse@wcg2024.co.nz