Jobs
Music Director - New Zealand Secondary Student’s Choir
Applications close 29 October 2026.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most celebrated choral ensembles, guiding and inspiring the next generation of talented young singers.
The New Zealand Secondary Students Choir (NZSSC) has a distinguished international reputation, having won multiple awards and performed at some of the world’s most prestigious venues since its inception in 1986. As Music Director, you will help shape the artistic direction of the choir, develop innovative and inspiring programmes, and uphold our commitment to musical excellence and cultural authenticity
We welcome applications from visionary, proven choral leaders who share our passion for artistic excellence, youth development, and the rich musical traditions of Aotearoa.
Essential Criteria:
· Proven experience in choral conducting at a high national level.
· Deep understanding of choral repertoire, vocal technique, and ensemble training.
· Experience leading a school, youth or professional choral ensemble.
· Strong commitment to fostering young musical talent.
· Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaborative skills.
· Understanding of Te Ao Māori and Pasifika musical traditions, or a willingness to deeply engage in these areas.
· Experience in planning and delivering performances at a level to take to the international stage.
The Music Director is supported by a professional team and will benefit from a supportive partnership with the artistic team of the other national choirs, NZ Youth Choir and Voices New Zealand.
Interviews for this position will take place in November with the final shortlisted candidates being invited for a practical audition in April 2027. The successful candidate will be appointed to lead the 2027-2028 choir cycle, with opportunity for extension.
Application:
All application information and requirements are included in the attached 'Music Director NZSSC Candidate information' file.
Music Director NZSSC Candidate Information_2026
Applications close 29 October 2026
For more info contact joinus@choirsnz.co.nz
Music Director - Voices New Zealand
Fixed term: 3 years (2027-2029)
Applications close 5 November 2026
This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead Aotearoa New Zealand’s only professionally run choral ensemble that inspires through the outstanding quality of its singing and concert presentation.
Voices NZ is the peak of the choral pathway of Aotearoa’s national choirs, which starts with the New Zealand Secondary Students Choir, continues with the New Zealand Youth Choir and is supported by the national Aotearoa Choral Academy.
Voices NZ has since its inception in 1998 built an international reputation which is maintained through recordings and occasional international touring. As Music Director you have significant influence on the aspirations of young choral singers in our country, but also the shape of the choral sector in Aotearoa.
We welcome applications from visionary choral leaders who share our passion for artistic excellence, audience engagement, innovative storytelling and music making, inspirited by the rich musical traditions of Aotearoa.
Essential Criteria:
· Exceptional artistic credentials and experience conducting high-level vocal ensembles
· Deep understanding of audience development through programming and performance design
· Strong commitment to artistic innovation and cultural responsiveness
· Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaborative skills
· Understanding of Te Ao Māori and Pasifika musical traditions, or a willingness to deeply engage in these areas.
· Experience in planning and delivering performances at an international standard.
The Music Director is supported by a professional team and will benefit from a supportive partnership with the artistic team of the other national choirs, NZ Youth Choir and New Zealand Secondary Students Choir.
Interviews for this position will take place in November.
Application:
All application information and requirements are included in the attached 'Music Director Voices Candidate information' file.
Applications close 5 November 2026.
Music Director Voices Candidate Information_2026
CANZ Artistic Strategy 2027-29
For more info contact joinus@choirsnz.co.nz
CANZ is seeking 3 Trustees to help shape the next chapter of one of Aotearoa’s leading national music organisations.
CANZ supports outstanding choral singing; develops generations of New Zealand singers and conductors; and champions the distinctive voices and music of Aotearoa. It is an exciting time to join us. In 2025, the NZ National Youth Choir was named Choir of the World; an extraordinary international achievement and a reflection of the talent and ambition found throughout our organisation. At the same time, we are developing a new direction for Voices NZ Chamber Choir to think ambitiously about its artistic identity, audiences and place in the cultural life of Aotearoa. We are particularly interested in people who can bring expertise in: audit, risk management, te ao and tikanga Māori. We would also encourage South Island residents to apply. One trustee is re-applying and there are two additional vacancies.
About Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand
CANZ governs and supports nationally significant choirs and programmes, including the Aotearoa Choral Academy, NZ Secondary Students Choir, NZ National Youth Choir and Voices NZ Chamber Choir, alongside development, outreach and engagement activity. Our work ranges from nurturing some of the country’s most promising young singers to presenting professional choral performances at the highest level. We commission and perform New Zealand music, collaborate with leading artists and organisations, tour nationally and internationally and contribute to the development of choral music across Aotearoa. We are committed to strengthening connections across the wider choral and arts sectors, reaching audiences and communities throughout the country and ensuring our work reflects the cultural identity of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Who we are looking for
We welcome expressions of interest from people with a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. An interest in the arts is helpful but not essential.
We are particularly interested in strengthening the Board in the following areas:
1. Accounting and financial governance — strong accounting, audit, financial management or financial governance skills to help the Board maintain robust oversight of CANZ’s finances, risk and long-term sustainability.
2. Te ao and tikanga Māori — knowledge, relationships and experience that can help CANZ deepen its engagement with te ao Māori and strengthen the place of tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori and partnership within our work.
3. Governance, leadership and strategic capability — the ability to ask constructive questions, think strategically and help CANZ navigate opportunities and change.
We are also interested in experience in areas such as education, fundraising, commercial networks, community engagement or the wider not-for-profit sector. We are looking for Trustees who value the role that excellent choral music can play in the cultural life of Aotearoa and who are curious about how a national organisation can continue to evolve, connect with new communities and remain relevant for future generations.
The Board
The Board meets twice online and twice in-person each year. The in-person board meetings are a day long and usually held in Wellington or Auckland. Trustees work collectively to set direction, provide financial and organisational oversight, support CANZ’s long-term sustainability and ensure the organisation remains focused on its purpose and responsibilities as a national arts organisation. We value constructive discussion, different perspectives and Trustees who are prepared to contribute their own insights and listen to the contributions of others.
Expressions of interest by 15th November 2026
If you are interested in contributing to the future of choral music in Aotearoa or the NZ arts scene more generally we would be delighted to hear from you.
Please send, by 15th November 2026, a brief expression of interest as well as a governance CV to: richard.sorrenson@gmail.com.
If you would like an informal conversation about the role before applying please call the Chair, Richard Sorrenson, at 0204 767 767
