Globally recognised as one of the leading barbershop harmony programmes for youth, the New Zealand Young Singers in Harmony Trust (YSIH NZ) is a registered charitable trust officially established on 3 February 2014. It is run solely by volunteers with a mission to encourage musical participation and excellence in barbershop singing in secondary schools. Active since August 1990, YSIH NZ exists to provide students with a low cost avenue to sing, as well as a plethora of personal and professional development opportunities. The YSIH programme is active in schools across the country in the form of choruses and quartets. In 2022, upon consultation with the Board, YSIH NZ made the decision to move away from gendered category names, renaming the three contest categories to Upper Voices, Lower Voices and Mixed Voices. 

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Each year, hundreds of young singers compete in regional contests around the country hoping to qualify to compete in the chorus and quartet finals at the annual YSIH National Convention. The annual Convention is the pinnacle of the YSIH NZ calendar, bringing together the leading secondary school and youth groups from across Aotearoa for two days of quartet and chorus competitions, educational opportunities, and exposure to world-class performances.

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In 2024, the Board implemented a new structure to create a sustainable future and separate governance and operational functions, aligned with Institute of Directors’ guidelines. The New Zealand Young Singers in Harmony Trust now has a governance Board made up of volunteer Trustee Officers (i.e. Chair, Treasurer, Administrator/Secretary) and Board members who are key stakeholder representatives from Barbershop Harmony NZ (BHNZ), Sweet Adelines NZ (SANZ) and a Schools representative. The Board’s role is to set the strategic direction of the Trust and provide governance, oversight and ‘build the capacity’ of its operational arm, which is run by a YSIH NZ national Management Team. The volunteer YSIH NZ Management Team is led by a national Team Coordinator. Its main function is to oversee the annual regional contest plan and run the annual national YSH Convention. It is made up of specific Management Team and Convention Team operational roles, as well as YSIH regional representatives, who run the regional contests.  YSIH regional representatives represent both BHNZ and SANZ.

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Do join us in supporting rangatahi from around Aotearoa to be involved in a great experience that helps them grow in confidence and improve their well-being through a cappella barbershop!​