400 young voices in sweet harmony

Students from Haumoana School give it their all. Photo / Paul Taylor

About 400 young choristers sang their hearts out at the annual regional The KIDS Sing yesterday.

The event is a junior version of the East Coast regional event, The Big Sing for Secondary School Choirs, which was held in Napier in June. Both events come under the umbrella of the New Zealand Choral Federation.

The day-long event showcased the talent, vocal ability and hard work of Hawke's Bay's youth.

After a day of rehearsals on Monday, yesterday morning 11 choirs from nine schools filled the Havelock North Intermediate Auditorium with song for daytime performances.

Participating schools soon included Haumoana, Taradale Primary, Havelock North Primary, Woodford House, Hastings Intermediate, Heretaunga Intermediate and Havelock North Intermediate. There were two choirs each from Iona College and Hereworth School.

An unusual item was thrown into the mix for one of the performances from Hereworth School students. Photo / Paul Taylor

Each choir performed set piece The Irish Blessing by New Zealand composer David Hamilton, as well as two songs of their own choice.

The adjudicator was Maria Winder, a director of school choirs in Auckland.

In the evening, hundreds of awed parents and family members watched as students showcased their ability at a gala concert.

The night was only slightly disrupted when students and spectators were temporarily evacuated from the auditorium due to a fire alarm going off.

After waiting their turn, it was Heretaunga Intermediate students' time to shine.