Tauranga singer thrilled to be selected for NZ Youth Choir

Tauranga's Sally Haywood's singing efforts have been officially recognised as she is selected for the New Zealand Youth Choir. Photos/supplied

A Tauranga woman is the only young person from the city to be selected for the New Zealand Youth Choir as it prepares to celebrate 40 years of showcasing some of the country's brightest young singers.

Sally Haywood, 21, is doing her honours in singing at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington and was thrilled to be named in the choir.

The former Bethlehem College student has already been part of the choir before and said there was nothing like having the chance to compete on an international level.

Sally Haywood has been selected as part of the New Zealand Youth Choir. Photo/supplied

"It's huge. I've always been into singing in choirs. It's definitely a big passion of mine. I couldn't see myself doing anything else to be honest," she said.

"I used to be shy and scared of singing in front of people but singing in a choir got me excited and gave me the confidence to do it in front of people. It's such an amazing thing."

The current New Zealand Youth Choir of 50 people aged 18 to 25 was selected from auditions held nationwide in November. This contingent was considered extra special because the choir will mark its 40th anniversary in 2019 and the youth choir is selected once every three years.

Miss Haywood said singing in a choir offered a challenge.

"There's always room for improvement and perfecting the skill. It's like a mixture of the creative side and technical side.

"New Zealand in particular has amazing choral culture for young people - so many schools in New Zealand have really amazing choirs. I think that's what contributes us to having such a good youth choir."

Miss Haywood said her ultimate goal was competing on the international stage.

I used to be shy and scared of singing in front of people but singing in a choir got me excited and gave me the confidence to do it in front of people.

Sally Haywood

"I don't know why, maybe because we're a smaller country, there's a real special thing about that. It's a real touching thing. You know you are at a high level when you're representing your country."

Miss Haywood said she would love to continue working with choirs when her studies finished.

"That's the thing I would love to do, just keeping that passion alive."

The youth choir has previously included singers Jonathan Lemalu, Anna Leese, Madeleine Pierard, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, the Sol3Mio ensemble, and also provided "a life-changing experience" for TV presenter Hilary Barry.

The newly established youth choir will be seen and heard for the first time in Wellington on Anzac weekend.

What is the New Zealand Youth Choir?

The New Zealand Youth Choir has achieved considerable success since its formation in 1979.

Performances in New Zealand and ten international tours including visits to the UK, Europe, Canada, USA, Australia, Singapore, Russia, the Republic of Korea and China have firmly established its reputation for consistency, energy and excellence.

The Choir has won many prizes - during it's 2016 European Landmark Tour, NZYC won the Grand Prix at the 2016 IFAS in the Czech Republic and the Choir of the World title in 1999 at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Wales. Music director is the renowned choral conductor David Squire.