By Tara Werner
It can't be easy for a choir to raise the money for an overseas trip, even when it means that participating in international singing competitions will place it solidly on the global map.
That's been the situation faced by the New Zealand National Youth Choir, which has been without corporate sponsorship for three years. But for choir member Zoe Triggs, scraping together the money for a five-week tour through Europe, Britain and Ireland has been part of her cause.
"We're doing the trip on a shoestring, and each member has helped by contributing a large proportion of the funds. We've been gradually getting the money together for two years. But lack of funds definitely hasn't stopped us," she says.
The alto's enthusiasm is obvious, and she is keen to see the choir do well in choral competitions in Trencin, Slovakia, and Llangollen, Wales.
Given the group's past success she has reason to be hopeful. Since its formation in 1979 the choir has developed an international reputation for its sound and extensive repertoire.
It celebrated outstanding success in the 1992 Let the Peoples Sing competition at Cologne, Germany, where it won the Silver Rose Bowl as best overall choir in a field of 26 from 15 countries. It represented New Zealand at the third World Choral Symposium in Vancouver in 1993 and at the fourth symposium in Sydney in 1996.
Under conductor Karen Grylls, the group will sing at a special Destination Europe concert at the Concert Chamber on Saturday afternoon before flying out. The diverse programme should give a taste of the high standard the singers have achieved.
The choir is committed to commissioning and performing works by leading New Zealand composers. Its repertoire includes Maori music and an extensive range of choral music dating from the 16th century to the present day.
The 16-to 25-year-old singers come from throughout the country and meet only three or four times a year for intensive rehearsals.
"We get together just a few times to rehearse, but when we do it's pretty full-on and solid," says Triggs.
The choir is also recognised as a stepping-stone for many of the country's leading young singers who go on to pursue careers in music. Its graduates can be found in the opera houses of Europe, America, Australia and New Zealand, and are also working as professional composers, teachers, singers, conductors and arts managers worldwide.
But a real focus has been the benefits gained from participating in international choral competitions.
What: New Zealand National Youth Choir
Where: Auckland Concert Chamber
When: Saturday, 3 pm
Choir pays way around world
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