The choir has received international attention and critical acclaim from overseas audiences but limited publicity in New Zealand itself.
Their repertoire, although widely varied in style, age and language, specifically emphasises works by New Zealand composers and music from Māori and other Polynesian cultures.
Performances by the choir regularly include commissioned works showcasing these uniquely New Zealand traditions.
For each NZSSC that she directed, Elise Bradley appointed a professional tutoring team to assist her and also took on conducting trainees, most notably of whom was Andrew Withington who would become musical director of the choir in 2009.
As a past member and long-standing tutor of the choir, Robert Wiremu agreed to take on a temporary position as the musical director in late 2007 and led their successful participation in a non-competitive South American festival tour.