Watch Video: Big Sing East Coast wraps up in style in Napier's Waiapu Cathedral

Angelic voices rang out in Napier's Waiapu Cathedral over the past two days.

The Big Sing East Coast included choirs from Gisborne to Central Hawke's Bay with more than 800 students in total taking part.

The final awards were presented yesterday evening.

Karamu High School's Carol della Barca won the award for the choir director who, in the opinion of the adjudicator, best demonstrated clear direction, musicianship, leadership and inspiration.

Hastings Girls High took out the overall winning NZCF East Coast Trophy for Femmina Cappella.

The Big Sing/ Ministry of Youth Development Award went to Hastings Christian School and Hastings Christian School Choir.

The Big Sing has been held annually for 30 years, with about 10,000 singers from around 150 schools and 260 choirs entering the regional festivals each year.

The festival aims to enable schools to participate in and be exposed to high-quality choral music in a supportive and professional settings.

It also provides opportunities for New Zealand composers to have their works performed in public to a high standard, as well as increasing an understanding and appreciation of Māori music and work with tangata whenua.

East Coast co-ordinator Glenys Kempshall said the final evening was a huge success, with staff turning away members of the public because the venue was too full.

"It was an incredible evening and I think the highlight for me was seeing all the incredible singers and seeing the awards handed out."