Much of the world's attention is turning to the Paris Olympics, but you may not know that the 'olympics of singing' is already underway here in New Zealand.
Nine thousand people from 40 different countries have travelled to Auckland to compete this week and next in the World Choir Games, with 82 hours of singing to be done between the open and champion categories.
The annual event is running for its thirteenth year, and the decision to host it in Aotearoa has made participation possible for two thousand local singers.
Choirs of all shapes and sizes are participating - the largest group is 176 people, and the smallest is just six.
One such choir is the Sitting Room Singers, an acapella ensemble of based in Tamaki Makaurau, who'll be competing in the open section.
Kathryn speaks to the choir's director Rachel Young, chairperson Belinda Sydenham, and vocal coach Jack Timings.
Members Nica Israel, Nicole Schlichting, Jono Scogings, Alan Mason, and Jack Timings perform songs from their repertoire.
You can find our more about the choir here.
The Sitting Room Singers singing on RNZ's Nine to Noon programme. Photo: RNZ
