Auckland Youth Choir
Young adult choir (NZ)
Established in 1984, the Auckland Youth Choir (AYC) stands as a premier vocal ensemble in Aotearoa New Zealand, comprising over 130 singers aged 16 to 27. Representing the vibrant musical culture of Auckland, the choir serves as a vital bridge for young vocalists transitioning from secondary school environments into the professional and adult choral spheres. For their appearance at the Festival of Voices in Hobart, the ensemble is represented by a touring choir of 47 auditioned members.
Throughout its forty-year history—celebrated with a landmark anniversary in 2024—AYC has cultivated a reputation for innovative programming, significant membership growth, and high-profile collaborations with New Zealand’s most distinguished musicians and arts organizations. The choir’s versatility is reflected in its diverse performance history, ranging from poignant ANZAC Day commemorations at the Auckland War Memorial Museum to regular, sold-out concerts at the historic St Matthew-in-the-City and the Auckland Town Hall.
On the international stage, AYC has garnered significant acclaim. In 2016, the ensemble participated in the world premiere of Paul Mealor’s work at Carnegie Hall, New York City. This was followed by a successful tour to Australia in 2019, where the choir won the choral section of the Australian International Music Festival, culminating in a performance at the Sydney Opera House. Most recently, in July 2024, the choir achieved a prestigious Gold Medal at the 13th World Choir Games held in their home city.
Beyond performance excellence, AYC is dedicated to the future of the arts through its Development and Mentoring Project. This initiative provides emerging conductors, accompanists, and composers with professional mentorship and podium time. Committed to the expansion of the choral canon, the choir commissions at least one original work from within its membership annually, fostering the next generation of New Zealand composers.
AYC is under the expert artistic leadership of Music Director David Squire, alongside Assistant Music Director and Pianist Claire Caldwell, and is supported by Choir Manager Kasey Hani Lui. The ensemble is honoured to bring their unique sound and spirit of Aotearoa to Hobart for this year’s festival.
