How group singing evolved from its colonial origins to today's award-winning international choirs
In 2011 the late Dr Guy Jansen (1935-2019) was awarded a MNZM for services to music. He was a renowned music educator and choral musician, and in 1979 founded the New Zealand Youth Choir -- reputed to be the first national youth choir in the world -- and was its musical director. He also founded the New Zealand Secondary Students Choir, and pioneered training in choral conducting. Dr Jansen formed the Festival Singers and Bel Canto, and served as chair of the New Zealand Choral Federation.
