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Singing three fully choral services per week during school term time, the Choir of Auckland Cathedral is, in terms of public performances, the busiest in the city. Comprising some twenty members, including a high proportion of students and young adults, this dynamic and flexible ensemble embraces the widest possible repertoire of sacred music, from Gregorian Chant, European renaissance polyphony and music written for the Anglican Church, through to contemporary religious work from New Zealand and beyond. Under its director, Timothy Noon, the choir enjoys a fine reputation in the city and further afield, and is often in demand for civic and national events.

Though the choir works hard and performs to a very high standard within a tight schedule, it is a friendly and sociable group, with a strong sense of camaraderie. Vacancies occur within the choir from time to time, and the Director of Music is always pleased to meet potential choristers for an informal chat about membership and auditions. Click here to send him an e-mail. Generous scholarships are often available to assist young people embarking on a course of musical study. Click here to find out more about scholarships.

Music has always played a vital role in the spiritual life of the Cathedral and under the leadership of Professor Peter Godfrey, Director of Music from 1958 to 1974, the choir enjoyed strong links with Auckland University and achieved an international reputation for excellence. The scope and outlook of the choir was developed subsequently by successive directors, Anthony Jennings and James Tibbles, who had been pupils of Prof Godfrey. In 1983 provision was made for an Organ Scholar and many holders of this position have gone on to develop international musical careers. A recording of the choir made in the 1980s is included in Te Ara, the online encyclopaedia of New Zealand, and can be heard by clicking here

In recent times, the choir has participated in many of the high profile occasions that have been hosted at the cathedral, notably, visits of members of the Royal Family, the state funerals for Sir Edmund Hillary and Sir Paul Reeves, and the National Tsunami Service in 2009. The choir has been broadcast many times on national TV and Radio, and its most recent CD of music for Trinity Sunday has been recently released, to wide acclaim.