Late August 2004 three Tawa College choirs competed in the annual secondary schools competitions in Dunedin.

The following report is from Shona Murray:

Morning Stars gained a Bronze in the 'Big Sing' (in fact we were only point 6 off a Silver award), gaining an overall mark for our two ten-minute programmes of 79.4. We were the top SATB choir (mixed voice choir) - so we are very happy with our result, and the students gained high praise from the adjudicators. Karen Grylls, director of the Tower Voices National Youth Choir, complimented the choir for the way they touch people's hearts with their spirit and their communication while singing.

Maiden Tawa (girls' choir) and Acafellas (boys' choir) both won the Young Men and Young Women in Harmony Barbershop Chorus Competition and our Sound Waves quartet gained a third place in the Young Men in Harmony Barbershop Quartet Competition. Along with the MIB's (Musical Island Boys) award for third in the International Collegiate competition in Kentucky in July, this must put their coach Charlotte up with the top coaches of Barbershop anywhere.

Murray Cameron was a superb Tour Manager, giving great team talks, and organising all the fine details to make this such a worthwhile experience for everyone. Ex-student Michael Pansters also gave freely of his time to act as a chaperone as well as a superb accompanist. For someone so gifted with his piano playing his loyalty and commitment to his 'old' school is to be admired! And Michelle Martin was also a wonderful accompanist with her flute playing. Wendy Edwards joined us for the Barbershop Competition and our final day at Larnach Castle, the Albatross Colony and the Cadbury Chocolate Factory.

It was also a thrill to have our Principal, Murray Lucas, with Margaret and younger son supporting the team, which included of course their older son singing in the tenors of the Acafellas.