An Avondale University vocal ensemble received two gold diplomas in the Open Competition at the World Choir Games in Auckland, Australia, from July 15 to 21, 2024.

Despite being the only entrant, The Promise had to perform at the highest standard to be declared the winner of the University and College Choirs category. The day before, it placed second—also with a gold diploma and ahead of two other choirs—in the Gospel category.

Receiving gold diplomas earns the students an invitation to compete in The Champions Competition at the next games. “That is an honor,” said Dr. Aleta King, artistic director, “[It is] a reward for hard work, determined effort, and prayer.”

Even with experience as musical director of the London Adventist Chorale, Dr. King felt nervous entering The Promise in the Gospel category because of the music's African–American origin. So, I chose repertoire we could perform in our own style.” As a smaller, more agile ensemble, Dr. King thinks The Promise also earned points for harmonic clarity and complexity. “Our musicianship program gives the students good ears. It underpins the clear, crisp sound they make.”

Practice and previous performances also played a part. Dr. King likens conducting the ensemble at the games to driving a Formula 1 race car. “With every gesture came an instant response. I had to be careful how much pedal I put down. The students were reading me closely.” She is most proud, though, of their willingness to “glorify and praise God every step of the way. That is inspirational.”

As a small ensemble from a private regional university, “we were shocked to do so well,” said soprano Olivia Morton. She credits Dr. King’s leadership and the bonds the students developed as keys to success. “We learned not just vocal techniques but group dynamics.” Her highlight was an out-of-competition performance of “Man in the Mirror” at a friendship concert in the Auckland Botanic Gardens attended by many local Seventh-day Adventists—Avondale is an entity of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific.

With 11,000 participants making up 250 choirs representing 42 countries, the biennial World Choir Games—the “Olympics of choral music”—claims to be the world’s largest international choral competition. Recognizing the privilege of performing at an event with prestige and profile, Morton said the experience is helping her consider music as a career. “I don’t want to give it up when I graduate.”

The original article was published on the South Pacific Division website, Adventist Record.