A few hours after winning the title Choir of the World, New Zealand's champion choristers were entertaining a "hens' night" at a local Welsh bar with a rendition of Hey Jude.
The multi-talented National Youth Choir won the coveted top prize at the International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales on Saturday. They had earlier won best mixed choir, and edged out three other international groups in the final.
Delighted manager Jacqui Simpson said the win showed the 41 singers, aged between 18 and 25, were right up there with the best in the world. It was the culmination of three years' hard work.
Since Saturday the choir had been asked to sing in South America, and she expected more invitations to flood in.
After taking the £3000 (NZ$9000) prize, the choir celebrated at the Trevor Arms, a small hotel in the northern village of Rosset. Welsh patrons, especially a group out on a hens' night, were keen to hear their talents.
As well as singing some of their choral standards, the choir improvised with popular favourites, including the Beatles number. But celebrations had to be toned down after guests sleeping in the hotel complained about the noise.
The choir took the title with a selection of four unaccompanied songs performed over 15 minutes. First was Haere Mai, a Maori welcome piece which included elements of dance and haka.
Aucklander Albert Mata'afa was forced to use a stick to lead the group - rather than his usual guitar - to conform with competition rules.
Andrew Kania, of Northcote, said the singers were "a little nervous" before facing the capacity crowd of 5000. But their conductor, Dr Karen Grylls, kept their minds focused on the music.
The choir, halfway through a five-week tour of Europe, will travel to Vienna before taking part in another competition in Slovakia.
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