Riley Rolton's (Clark House 2018–2022) voice has echoed from the halls of St Paul’s Collegiate School to the world stage as a tenor in the New Zealand Youth Choir. Riley was an extremely familiar stage name around St Paul’s. When at school, played The Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz production, and Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. His stage presence and voice were undeniable.

This year (2025), the choir achieved an extraordinary double triumph on their European tour. First, they won the Grand Prix of Nations at the European Choir Games in Aarhus, Denmark—bringing home gold in the Folklore Category with an impressive score of 97.5. 

They then continued their winning streak in Wales, claiming the prestigious Choir of the World title at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. In a moment of pure celebration, they performed an impromptu haka upon winning the Pavarotti Trophy, as conductor David Squire was also awarded the Jayne Davies Conductor’s Prize for Most Inspirational Conductor. 

This remarkable victory places the NZ Youth Choir among the elite: they are the first from New Zealand to secure the Choir of the World title since their 1999 win. 

Riley’s journey with the choir began after his involvement with the New Zealand Secondary Students Choir, which itself won the “Children’s Choir of the World” title at Llangollen in 2022. 

Adding a layer of cultural connection, the choir’s 2025 tour included standout performances in Singapore—held at Gardens by the Bay and at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, and notable collaborative workshops with choirs in the UK.