Choir singing may not be seen as "cool", but it is rewarding for those who stick to it, former Dunedin tenor Stephen Chambers says.
The international opera singer returned to his Otago roots yesterday to give secondary school choir members some advice and a demonstration of his vocal capability.
Chambers attended Kavanagh College and said as a 13-year-old he was the only male pupil in the school's choir.
Although a bit embarrassing, it was worth the experience, he said.
"I applaud you all for being in choirs and doing this because I know it's not cool to be in choirs and that sort of thing, but you shouldn't care about that.
"Stick at it and it's worth it - it's rewarding," Chambers told about 30 choristers from Otago Girls' and Otago Boys' high schools yesterday.
Chambers performed an Irish a cappella item for the group and was treated to a sung "reply" by 17-year-old Sam Madden, of the Otago Boys' High School choir.
Tomorrow, Chambers will sing with the City of Dunedin Choir and Southern Sinfonia in a concert at Knox Church.
He is in New Zealand visiting family and friends before returning to live and work near London.
