The long and winding road to the top of New Zealand's secondary school choir rankings is never easy, but St Hilda's Collegiate's Sings Hilda Choir appears to have plenty of breath left to take on the nation's best in the Big Sing New Zealand Secondary Schools Choral Festival next month.
There was an air of excitement among the girls during a brief rehearsal yesterday as they continued preparations for the national final at the Michael Fowler Centre, in Wellington, from August 13 to 15.
Sings Hilda is one of 24 choirs selected for the national final after the adjudicators listened to recordings of all the performances at the regional Big Sing events all around New Zealand last month.
Mr Grant said the choir had worked hard to get this far, and he was continuing to push them in rehearsals three times a week, on three new pieces for the national final.
The choir was sounding great and he was delighted with how far they had come.
''This will be an experience that the girls will cherish for a long time, because they are representing not only their school, but the region, which doesn't happen very often in choral competitions.
''It's the experience of travelling and performing somewhere new at a high level.
''Getting the opportunity to perform in the Michael Fowler Centre is quite special,'' he said.
The last time the school's choir was selected, was two years ago, Mr Grant said.
Adjudicators for the national final are University of Adelaide Elder Conservatorium of Music director Carl Crossin, Melbourne Christ Church South Yarra director of music Michael Fulcher, Aotearoa Aerial Theatre Company Ltd artistic director Tanemahuta Grey and University of Otago voice lecturer Associate Prof Judy Bellingham.
