Westlake choirs claimed three of only eight Gold Awards presented nationwide at the 2026 NZCF The Big Sing National Finale, adding two special awards to an outstanding season of choral achievement.
Held in Christchurch, the National Finale saw each of Westlake’s three premier choirs perform two recitals before a panel of expert adjudicators, including international clinician and composer David Childs. Choirs required a score of at least 85 points to earn Gold, with Westlake achieving the following results:
- Choralation, directed by Fiona Wilson: Gold Award and Best Performance of a Pre-20th Century Piece
- Cantare, directed by Fiona Wilson: Gold Award, continuing an unbroken run of Golds since 2017
- Voicemale, directed by David Squire: Gold Award and Best Performance in an Other Style
The Finale results followed Nota Bella’s success at the NZCF Cadenza Festival in Rotorua, where Westlake’s junior treble choir earned a Tūī Gold Award.
Across the two festivals, the choirs performed a rich and varied repertoire, ranging from works by Bach, Mendelssohn, Stanford and Fauré to contemporary New Zealand compositions and folk-inspired music from Finland and Latvia. Singing across different languages, cultures and musical traditions gave students an opportunity to explore new forms of storytelling through song.
The students delivered some of their strongest performances of the year while supporting fellow singers and connecting with choristers from throughout New Zealand.
Thank you to Cathy Bennett, Soomin Kim and James Harrison, and to Joo Yeon Lee and Kasey Hani Lui, who supported the students and staff throughout the trip.
The season continues on Sunday 11 October when Cantare performs Britten’s War Requiem with Auckland Choral and the Auckland Youth Choir. Choralation will also perform at a University of Auckland graduation ceremony and open the International Principals Conference in Auckland.
Photography: Louis Park and Craig Forster, Lightchasers
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
