The Big Sing 2023

The Big Sing is a regional secondary schools choral festival that involves over 8,000 students from more than 200 schools supported by their families and communities. This year One Tree Hill College’s boys' chorus (Esquire) and girls' choir (Peka Totara) participated in the competition. “The Boys' Choir has a strong history in this competition, having reached the Big Sing finals three times and having participated in the associated Cadenza regional finals twice before,’ expressed HOD of Music Mr Gray,” and though they didn’t reach the final they were the crowd’s favourites.” The girls' choir was also very competitive and gave a superb performance on the evening,” he added. Mr Gray also acknowledged both Mrs Diana Rhodes and Mr Terence Maskell for their dedication in preparing both choirs for this competition.  

Esquire's boys' choir director, Mr Maskell, said, "We were all extremely proud of the boys, who upped their game that night. They have now been nominated to perform at the Cadenza competition in Rotorua, along with eleven other choirs from the upper North Island. As a result of their efforts, three of our original songs will be performed there, and one new song must be learned.” Peka Totara Girls' Choirs director, Mrs Rhodes, shared her thoughts, "Considering everything, we performed really well, the girls’ sang three difficult pieces beautifully. They performed with pride and presented well on stage. We also appreciated Ms. Seto, our pianist, for her skill and style.”  One Tree Hill College is incredibly proud of all the outstanding students who took part in Big Sing and we would also like to thank Mr Gray, Mr Maskell, Mrs Rhodes and Ms Seto for leading the choirs.   

NILA VIMALENTHIRAN AND SITI KAMAL

NEWS MEDIA TEAM