John Stanley Body was a New Zealand composer, ethnomusicologist, photographer, teacher, and arts producer. As a composer, his work comprised concert music, music theatre, electronic music, music for film and dance, and audio-visual gallery installations. A deep and long-standing interest in the music of non-Western cultures – particularly South-East Asian – influenced much of his composing work, particularly his technique of transcribing field recordings. As an organiser of musical events and projects, Body had a significant impact on the promotion of Asian music in New Zealand, as well as the promotion of New Zealand music within the country and abroad.
Dame Gillian Karawe Whitehead is a New Zealand composer. She is of Māori Ngāi Te Rangi descent. Her Māori heritage has been an important influence on her composing.
Dame Malvina Lorraine Major is a New Zealand opera soprano.
Jennifer Helen McLeod was a New Zealand composer and professor of music at Victoria University of Wellington. She composed several major works for big groups including Under the Sun for four orchestras and 450 children, and the opera Hōhepa.
David Blair Hamilton is a New Zealand composer and teacher.
Hirini (Sid) Melbourne was a Māori composer, singer, university lecturer, poet and author who was notable for his contribution to the development of Māori music and the revival of Māori culture. He played traditional instruments and his waiata (songs) have preserved traditions and used Māori proverbs. He received the New Zealand Order of Merit in recognition of his services to Māori music. He was from Ngāi Tūhoe and Ngāti Kahungunu Māori tribes.
The New Zealand Youth Choir is a mixed choir consisting of around 50 singers, auditioned nationally every 3 years from around New Zealand. The choir accepts members aged between 18 and 25 at the time of audition, and places will generally be offered for three years.
Andrew Perkins is a New Zealand composer, choral conductor and teacher. He has had a number of works recorded and performed internationally.
Dorothy Whitson Freed was a New Zealand author, composer, and music historian. She made significant contributions to the field of music librarians, and authored several books and articles regarding musical information and resources in New Zealand.
Eve de Castro-Robinson is a New Zealand composer, professor and graphic designer. Her compositions include orchestral, vocal, chamber and electroacoustic works. She studied at the University of Auckland, where in 1991 she became the first person to receive a DMus from the University. She is Associate Professor of Composition at the University of Auckland.
David Griffiths is a composer, baritone and convener of the Conservatorium of Music at the University of Waikato. Griffiths has gained national and international recognition as a composer, opera singer and recital soloist. His choral compositions are particularly popular in the United States of America and have, in recent years, been recorded by several choirs while many works have been included on various record labels including Naxos Records, Kiwi Pacific and Atoll.
Dorothy Ker is a New Zealand-born composer of instrumental and vocal music who has lived in the UK since 1992. She is known for her inter-disciplinary collaborations and experimentation with live electronic music performances.
Tecwyn Evans is a New Zealand conductor. He holds a faculty position teaching conducting at the University of Auckland School of Music and in 2018 he was named as Director of Music of Den Jyske Opera.
Guy Elwyn Jansen was a New Zealand music educator and choral musician.
Janetta Mary McStay was a New Zealand concert pianist and music professor who performed with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and other orchestras, as a solo artist and as an accompanist and chamber music associate with leading artists from around the world.
Philip Douglas Broadhurst was a New Zealand composer, jazz pianist, music lecturer and radio presenter.
Dame Karen Olive Poutasi is a New Zealand government official.
Leonie Joyce Holmes is a New Zealand composer and lecturer at the University of Auckland with an interest in music education.
The University of Auckland Festival Choir, conducted by Peter Godfrey was formed in 1970 to represent New Zealand at the triennial International Universities' Choral Festival in New York in May 1972. It was the first time a New Zealand choir participated in the non-competitive Festival. Two earlier Festivals had been held in 1965 and 1969.
Peter David Hensman Godfrey was an English-born New Zealand choral conductor. He was Professor of Music at the University of Auckland and conducted numerous choirs including the Dorian Choir in Auckland, choirs of St Mary's Cathedral and Holy Trinity Cathedral in Auckland and the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, the University of Auckland Festival Choir, Auckland University Singers, the Orpheus Choir in Wellington and the New Zealand Youth Choir.
