New Zealand Choral Federation Big Sing event organiser Carole Randall said the event was gaining in popularity in the region, and she was delighted at the number of schools which had fielded more than one choir in the competition.
"I'm pleasantly surprised at the number.
"I wonder if it's a general trend, or whether it's a spin-off from the national final of the Big Sing which was held here in Dunedin in August last year.
"Certainly, there is growing passion for singing in Otago."
All of the choirs performed three pieces each yesterday - a New Zealand composition, a pre-1900 European choral piece, and a piece from the 20th century in a contrasting style - in front of adjudicator Christine Argyle.
The choirs then performed again last night in the Festival of Choirs concert for the public at the Dunedin Town Hall.
The New Zealand composition category was won by Cantus Columba (Columba College); the pre-1900 European choral category was won by the Southern Hesperides (Otago Girls' High School); and the 20th century category was won by Craighead Chorale (Craighead Diocesan School).
An award for the most improved choir was given to the Roncalli College Choir.
Mrs Randall said the judges from each of the regional competitions around New Zealand would meet this Saturday to select the top 18 choirs to compete in the national final in Auckland in August.
Schools competing were. -Bayfield High School, Columba College, Craighead Diocesan School, Dunstan High School, John McGlashan College, Kaikorai Valley College, Kavanagh College, King's High School, Logan Park High School, Otago Boys' High School, Otago Girls' High School, Queen's High School, Roncalli College, St Hilda's Collegiate School, Taieri College, Waitaki Boys' High School and Waitaki Girls' High School.
