The Waikato Rivertones Chorus, about a third of whose members come from Waipā, won big at major competition held in Christchurch last weekend.
The Waikato Rivertones Chorus took a win last weekend that will see them compete internationally next year. Photo: supplied
The win means they will represent New Zealand at the 2026 international competition in Columbus, Ohio.
The choir won Champion Chorus at the Sweet Adelines Harmony Ōtautahi Convention, held in the Christchurch Town Hall.
Rivertones’ master director Kate Sinclair also won the Region 35 Spirit of Sweet Adelines Award and her quartet, Unlimited, won the quartet competition and Waikato Rivertones’ quartet, Renew took a second place.
Sinclair’s leadership in pitting 33 members of the Waikato Rivertones against eight other choruses from around the country led to the chorus scoring 641 points and achieving their goal of reaching the A- category.
Celebrating their wins last Saturday are, from left, Waikato Rivertones Chorus team leader Pam Roa and master director Kate Sinclair. Photo: Ci Marketing
Waikato Rivertones’ Adrienne Windsor said performances were judged live by a panel of international judges in sound, music, expression and visual communication categories.
Visual communication judge Peggy Gram commended the choir for its ‘outstanding vocal skill’ and said: “You worked as a great team together to create a joyful experience for us.”
Waikato Rivertones is an all-women chorus that sings in four-part harmony. It is a member of Sweet Adelines International, a worldwide organisation committed to advancing a cappella barbershop harmony through educational programmes and performances. It began in Oklahoma in 1945 and now has more than 23,000 members throughout the United States and 14 other countries.
The Waikato Rivertones Chorus has been a chapter of Region 35 since 1995 and has 50 members across the region.
Winning big isn’t entirely new to the chorus. It has won Champion New Zealand Chorus on numerous occasions, and has represented New Zealand six times, most recently in Kentucky in October 2023.
Members are women of all ages, students, professionals of all persuasions, at-home mums and retirees. They perform in competitions, at their own shows and for community, private and corporate events.
Waikato Rivertones Chorus master director Kate Sinclair, centre, flanked by assistant directors Leanne Wheeler and Rowena Harper, at Monday night’s celebration in Cambridge. Photo: supplied
