It's time to get ready for the New Zealand phenomenon that is The Big Sing.

The Big Sing - TBS - is a regional secondary schools choral festival that takes place in 10 regional centres involving around 8,000 students from around 150 school and 250 choirs, supported by their families and communities.

Held annually for over 30 years, The Big Sing is run by the New Zealand Choral Federation.

It is New Zealand's largest choral event with singers entering regional competitions held in Northland, Auckland, Waikato/Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Taranaki, Manawatu/Whanganui, Wellington, Marlborough/Nelson, Canterbury/West Coast, Otago and Southland.

Of the 200+ competing choirs, 60 will be selected for the area Cadenza festivals - held in the Upper North Island, Lower North Island and South Island; and National Finale.

'Our diverse community includes over 20,000 members from hundreds of community, school, and chamber choirs performing in styles ranging from classical, gospel, world music, sacred music and barbershop through to jazz, kapa haka, musical theatre, and opera,” says an NZCF spokesperson.

The New Zealand National Anthem sung at The Big Sing in 2015.

The New Zealand Choral Federation - NZCF- is this country's largest choral network, committed to promoting the performance, creation, and enjoyment of choral music for all.

'NZCF offers opportunities for choral singers around the country through community and chamber choir festivals and workshops.”

Waikato/BOP Big Sing Regional Competition

The Waikato/BOP Big Sing Regional Competition will be held at 6.30pm at Holy Trinity Church, Tauranga on Thursday June 15.

During the day 18 choirs from the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region will be competing and 15 of the choirs will be taking part in the gala concert that evening.

The gala concert will feature LBDs – Tauranga Girls' College, Bethlehem College Sound Collective, Voci Celesti – Aquinas College, VOX – Cambridge High School, John Paul College Choir, Voci Vivaci – Rotorua Girls' High School., Manawanui – Sacred Heart Girls' College Hamilton, Bel Suono – Waikato Diocesan School, St Paul's Collegiate school Choir, The Wingmen – St John's College Hamilton, Animoso – Bethlehem College, Raukura Choir – Rotorua Boys' High School, St Paul's Collegiate School Chamber Choir, Caniamo Chapel Choir – Waikato Diocesan School, and Lumiosa Armonia Chorale – Tauranga Girls' College.

Te Reo Māori trophy

'We are pleased to announce that at The Big Sing Regionals in June this year, a trophy for the best performance of a piece in te reo Māori will be offered at our festivals in every region.”

Previously, only Auckland and Christchurch have offered regional awards for performances in te reo.

In the Waikato/BOP Big Sing Regional Competition, the new award this year for the best te reo Māori song will be judged and presented by Kaumātua Tamati Tata.

The Big Sing

The Big Sing is lauded internationally as a unique, powerful and professional event.

The ongoing development of choirs at The Big Sing has resulted in New Zealand's top secondary school choirs increasingly touring overseas and presenting NZ choral music internationally.

The Big Sing has had a profound effect on generations of competitors, and leadership skills are greatly enhanced and encouraged through participation.

The top 24 choirs from around the country will perform in the Finale in August. The following link will give you an idea of the quality of singing for the NZ National Anthem

Follow The Big Sing on Facebook and on the website www.nzcf.org.nz

Waikato/BOP Evening Gala Concert 6:30pm, Thursday June 15, Holy Trinity Church, Tauranga. : Waged $20, Unwaged $15, Students (university & school) $5. Door sales (cash only)

Waikato/BOP Session times: Holy Trinity Church, Tauranga, Thursday June 15, 10am - 12.30pm; 2pm - 4.30pm. Daily sessions: gold coin at the door. Enquiries: jfwhimster@gmail.com