The Graduate Choir NZ Trust

Established in 2001, The Graduate Choir NZ is one of New Zealand’s premier choirs and it has often been described as a “national treasure".

The choir was established in 2001 for school-leavers in South Auckland who wanted to keep singing with their Music Director - Terence Maskell. Some of these foundation choristers continue to be valued singers and leaders in the choir. The membership has now expanded to include singers of various ethnic backgrounds and locations across Auckland. The rehearsal base of the choir is South Auckland and the choir is a predominantly “young” demographic of 36 singers. Its main purposes are;

- to provide a pathway for music, voice, & choral development, particularly for young singers.

- to create opportunities for audiences to share the joy and exhilaration of choral singing, and in particular The Graduate Choir NZ's unique & beautiful “Aotearoa” New Zealand sound.

The Graduate Choir NZ is one of New Zealand’s premier mixed voice choirs. It was established in 2001 initially for school-leavers in South Auckland who wanted to keep singing with their Music Director - Terence Maskell. The name was born at the time of the choir's first performance engagement when it was pointed out that the founding members of the choir were primarily "graduates" from high school. The membership has expanded to include singers of various ethnic backgrounds and locations across Auckland and the choir is an essentially “young” demographic of around 36 singers.

Known particularly for the warmth and breadth of its sound and the unique “Aotearoa” New Zealand cultural blend of the voices, the choir performs music that ranges from early Renaissance works and the mainstream choral repertoire through to choral jazz.

A purpose of the choir is to create opportunities for audiences to share the joy and exhilaration of choral singing. Another main purpose is to provide a pathway for music, voice, choral development, and performance experiences, particularly for the young singers.