The Chorale received the University of Otago College of Education Cup for Best Performance of a New Zealand Composition.
The Big Sing is one of nine different regional competitions run nationwide in the pursuit of selecting the top 24 school choirs from around New Zealand to perform in the "Finale".
The Chorale, unlike most choirs, perform without a conductor and are led by senior students after months of preparation.
In a statement, teacher in charge Emma Hall said that she was most proud of the way the students came together and took responsibility for the performance.
"It was great to see how much the students wanted to do well and meet the standard."
The Chorale started their programme with the Slovakian folk song and lullaby, Dobru Noc (Good night).
"I feel it is great for the students to sing in different languages and this was special for the school given that we have a Slovakian teacher and our accompanist can also speak the language," Mrs Hall said.
"It was also an opportunity to make use of our multitalented students with the need for a violin."
They followed this with an acapella three-part harmony with the Renaissance period piece Now is the Month of Maying written by Thomas Morely. However, it was the performance of I Am Not Yours by Nelson-born David N Childs — currently the associate adjunct professor of Music Education at the University of North Texas and founder, president and artistic director of Vox Humana (a Dallas-based professional chamber choir) — that wowed the judges who remarked that their performance was "polished and accomplished".
The Chorale has been selected to be one of 12 choirs to compete in South Island Cadenza which is held annually in Timaru, this year on August 15 and 16 at the Turley Auditorium and Sacred Heart Basilica.
— APL
