School choir festival brings sweet sounds to Whanganui

Whanganui hosted the New Zealand Choral Federation's Kids Sing festival on Tuesday.

Choirs from Mosston, St Georges, Whanganui Intermediate were joined by Bulls and James Cook school choirs in hosting two Manawatu choirs.

The Saturday Music Choir from Palmerston North and the Linton Camp School Choir joined the Whanganui /Rangitikei school singers in Collegiate's Prince Edward Auditorium.

Whanganui Intermediate choir were accompanied by young pianist AJ Malili-Malo-Lauono for their rendition of Seize the Day.

When technical problems prevented the musical backing for their second song Can't Stop the Feeling being played, they were unfazed.

The 60-strong choir performed their a capella version complete with a few slick dance moves earning big applause from their competitors as well as their supporters.

The massed singing interlude saw Roy Tankersley take the stage while the choirs remained seated in the auditorium.

Mr Tankersley conducted the massed choirs in singing a rearranged version of What Shall We Do With the Drunken Sailor which they all seemed to know well.

Adjudicator for the festival was Helen Willberg QSM from Wellington who is a long time music educator of students from primary to tertiary levels.

The awards for the Whanganui/Manawatu The Kids Sing Festival are:

The Category A:Participation
Participation Award: Mosston School Choir
Participation Award: Saturday Music Choir

Category B (Performance with Feedback)
Performance Award: James Cook School Choir
Performance Award: Bulls School Choir
Performance Award: Whanganui Intermediate School

Category C (Graded Performance)
Silver Award: St George's School Choir
Silver Award: Linton Camp School Choir

Festival Awards:
Best Choir Soloist: St George's School
Best Choir Instrumentalist: Ukelele Trio Bulls School
Best Stage Presentation: Whanganui Intermediate School
Best Performance of NZ Work: James Cook School
Adjudicator's Special Award: James Cook School