Info for schools

What is Kids for Kids?

Led by Suzanne Prentice, OBE, Kids for Kids is a unique opportunity for children to participate in an inspirational mass choir performance that not only celebrates their musical achievements, but also encourages them, their whãnau and school communities to make a difference in the lives of children around the globe.

The concerts have been running for 18 years and are held at a wide range of venues nationwide. The concerts feature a mass choir of children representing a city or region. The number of children on stage can vary from 300 to 650.

What happens once we have registered?

• Once you have registered, we will allocate you a concert date (and harmony if you are performing in the 'Top of the World' concert). We make every effort to allocate you your date of choice, but cannot always guarantee this.
• Approximately three months before each tour, your allocated concert date will be confirmed and tutorial materials sent to participating schools. The tutorial materials consist of lyrics, a CD with guide vocals for your designated part and a CD with piano backing tracks. On concert day, all the choirs convene in the morning for a rehearsal as one mass choir.

What concerts will run during 2012?

• Our 'Top of the World' concerts will run from 9 May – 28 June 2012
• Our 'New Show' concerts will run from 10 September – 6 December 2012
• Dates and location information

When can I register for Kids for Kids 2012?

• Invitations will be sent to schools in the first week of November. If you have not received your invitation by 15 November, please contact our Kids for Kids co-ordinator on 09 580 7753 or kidsforkids@worldvision.org.nz

What happens if fewer children can participate than the original number we registered?

• Please contact the Kids for Kids co-ordinator as soon as possible on 09 580 7753 or kidsforkids@worldvision.org.nz

May we have the music score?

• We currently provide lyrics, a CD with guide vocals for your designated part and a CD with piano backing tracks. These are found at the back of the tutorial packs that we send to you. You can also download the tutorial materials.
• Owing to copyright restrictions, we do not provide copies of the music score.

How do parents purchase tickets?

• Tickets will be on sale approximately one month prior to the concert and are available through the ticketing agent handling the venue for your school. Dates, locations and ticketing information. We will also send more information to your school closer to the time.

What is the cost of the ticket?

• Ticket prices vary depending on the venue.
• World Vision tries to keep the ticket price as low as it can, to allow as many families as possible to see their children perform. 

How much money do Kids for Kids concerts raise?

• The price of the ticket does not raise funds for World Vision; it only contributes to covering the cost of staging the concert.
• At our Kids for Kids concerts, audience members have the opportunity to help change the lives of children and families living in poverty by sponsoring a child in the developing world.
• Pledge commitments through Child Sponsorship enable us to raise more funds for World Vision's life-changing development work.

When do rehearsals take place?

• Rehearsals will be from 9.00am till 12.30pm on the morning of your allocated concert date.
• Please be at the venue by 9.00am for stage placement.
• Rehearsal with Suzanne starts at 9.30am.
• Your choir will be off stage by 12.30pm to go back to school.

Do we have morning tea?

• There will be a short break during rehearsal for morning tea, so please bring drinks/snacks for
  your choir.

When do you audition for the soloists?

• Auditions take place during the morning tea break of the rehearsal.
• While we understand that it is often hard to select only two soloists from your school (particularly if you have a large choir), we ask kindly that you limit your choice to two participants.

Do the children have to wear their school uniform during the day?

• We do not have a preference, but we will ask for sweatshirts/jackets to be removed before students go on stage.
• Most students will come as a group from school and return to school for the afternoon. Please ask the teacher what to wear during the rehearsal.

What do the children wear on the night of the performance?

• Children should wear bright-coloured clothing. The more colourful and fun the better! No jackets or jerseys are to be worn on stage as it can become very warm performing under lights.

When do the children need to be backstage prior to the actual performance?

• Please ensure that all students are backstage by 6.45pm.
• We will start leading the students on stage by 7.10pm.
• The concert will start at 7.30pm.
• The concert will conclude at 9.20pm.

When is intermission and what happens then?

• Intermission is at 8.20pm for 15 minutes.
• During this time, we will take the choir backstage for a short break.
• We ask all choir trainers to join us backstage during the break.
• No parents or family will be permitted backstage.

When and where do parents collect their children?

• At the conclusion of the concert programme, children will be released in groups from the stage.
• Parents are asked to collect their children inside the venue.

Can the children have a photo taken with Suzanne?

• There will be an opportunity for autographs and photos with Suzanne in the foyer, once the concert has finished.