Heartbreaking and heartwarming tributes are flowing for choir conductor Dr Andrew Withington.

His death marks the loss of one of New Zealand’s most influential choral educators.

Withington was not only an acclaimed conductor and composer, but also a mentor, lecturer, and the long-serving Artistic Director of the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir.

Over decades, he shaped the lives of thousands of singers, raised the standard of choral music across the country, and brought international recognition to New Zealand’s youth choirs.

Withington died “peacefully just before 11:30pm surrounded by his loving family and close friends” on Saturday, his brother Nigel Withington said.

“We are absolutely devastated,” Nigel told Chris Lynch Media.

“Andrew fought courageously until the time came for the Lord to take him home. Andrew and my family have been so very grateful and touched by everyone’s thoughts and prayers over the last few months,” he said.

Music director Richard Marrett told Chris Lynch Media, “Like many music teachers and conductors, Andrew has left an indelible imprint on the people he’s worked with: no one will forget his vast talent for bringing people together through a unique blend of hard work, discipline, attention to detail, beautiful musical leadership and wonderful sense of humour.”

“Generations of musicians will be grateful to him for the experiences he created for them that will shape their musical careers and lifestyles for years to come. This is the greatest aspect of his legacy,” Marrett said.

New Zealand Choral Federation said in a Facebook post, “Moe mai rā Andrew Withington: singer, conductor, teacher, mentor, colleague and friend to so many in our choral community.

“Andrew’s contribution to choral music in New Zealand is vast, including a highly successful 10 years at the helm of the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir,” the post said.

“Andrew has been a treasured colleague and mentor for NZCF, providing training to emerging and mid-career conductors at Giving Direction workshops and Choral Connect conferences, teaching and mentoring on our Young Conductors programme, adjudicating at The Big Sing regionals, Cadenza and Finale, presenting at Sing Aotearoa, and running Fine Tuning workshops for secondary school choirs.

“Andrew leaves behind a huge legacy, and we will miss his exceptional skills and musicianship immensely. Even more than that, we will miss his warmth, generosity of spirit, infectious laugh and the twinkle in his eye. Kua haere ia ki tōna moenga roa. Rest in peace, dear Andrew,” the post on the New Zealand Choral Federation social media pages concluded.

Christchurch Schools Music Festival said, “Our festival family is mourning the loss of a great colleague, musician and friend today.”

“Andrew was involved with the Festival from a young age, firstly as Junior Choir conductor, then Senior Choir conductor and Music Festival director from 2011-2012. He was music director during the earthquake years and was responsible for keeping the festival alive by moving the concerts to the then-named Horncastle arena.

“After his festival days, Andrew continued to pursue his career in music as a teacher, mentor, conductor and composer. Andrew was the Director of the University of Canterbury Chamber Choir, Consortia (2013-16), and lectured in conducting (2014-16). He was the Artistic Director of the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir and was often asked to adjudicate and hold workshops for the New Zealand Choral Federation. Andrew will be sorely missed in the music world around New Zealand and our hearts go out to his family and close friends at this time,” the Facebook post on the Christchurch Schools Music Festival said.

Marrett said, “A couple of years ago he began to develop an interest in broadening his (already significant) skills-base to include music direction for theatre and we have been working together on that ever since; it was always such a highlight for me when he was observing in the orchestra pit or singing with the supplementary vocalists we would sometimes use.”

He said that Withington completed his PhD in choral pedagogy and said that the work he leaves behind as a result of that intensive academic study and years of experience is invaluable.

“He developed a user-friendly system of annotation that brought the mysteries of ‘Just Intonation’ within reach of choral singers everywhere. Having spent time teaching in the United States he has also been an international influencer, striving to help choirs produce in-tune, resonant and impactful performances. He has recently published a book to make this work accessible to us all,” Marrett said.

“New Zealand and the music world has lost a giant in the field – an arranger, conductor, artistic director, academic, teacher of teachers, singer and pianist, but hundreds of us have lost a dear friend who, despite the devastating illnesses of the last few months, could always fill the space around him with joy and the most infectious laugh,” he said.

Christchurch teacher Kate Divett studied music with Withington at the University of Canterbury, crossing paths again on her first day of grad school.

“He greeted me as I emerged from the lift and in the months that followed he gave me feedback and advice that helped shape me as an educator,” Divett said.

“His influence as a music educator, choral expert and conductor was his superpower, though. I attended conducting workshops to learn from him, and invited him to coach the music teachers from our local cluster of schools to improve our conducting skills,” she said.

“I think of him whenever I stand in front of a choir, and will continue to as I do my very best to emulate him. I’m devastated that he has gone, but know that his influence, kindness and jovial laugh will live on in the conducted time of choirs and singers he has inspired,” Divett said.

The New Zealand Youth Choir posted a rendition of Withington’s arrangement of Hine e Hine in his honour, with the words, “RIP maestro.”