Collection: The Sign Singing Superstars

During the 1980s the Sign Singers from Auckland, and the Silent Singers from Christchurch dazzled hearing and Deaf audiences alike with their poetic renditions of popular songs. From humble origins performing at a fundraiser, to playing in front of 250 million people at the Commonwealth Games, the groups created a way for hearing society to connect with Deaf people and sign language like never before, and achieve incredible strides for Deaf awareness in New Zealand.

  • Collection: The Sign Singing Superstars
  • All items: 13
  • Videos: 11
  • Publications: 2
  • ×
  1. 1982
    Video — Donated by Dulcie McKie Image of Dulcie McKie

    Sign Singers: 'Harmony'

    The Sign Singers perform 'Harmony' broadcast on Stars on Sunday in February 1983. They are introduced in sign language, in one of the first examples of a non-Deaf person signing on prime time television.

  2. 1984
    Video — Donated by Dulcie McKie Image of Dulcie McKie

    Sign Singers perform at Dunedin Deaf Club

    The Sign Singers perform at the Dunedin Deaf Club in front of Deaf members and their friends.

  3. 1981
    Video — Donated by Dulcie McKie Image of Dulcie McKie

    Sign Singers at Telethon 1981

    The popular Sign Singers are the first act to perform at the 1981 Telethon Live at the Auckland Town Hall.

  4. 1981
    Video — Donated by Dulcie McKie Image of Dulcie McKie

    Sign Singers perform Silent Night

    The Sign Singers perform the famous carol 'Silent Night' for the Stars on Sunday programme.

  5. 1984
    Video — Donated by Dulcie McKie Image of Dulcie McKie

    Sign Singers perform on the 'In South Tonight' programme – Dunedin 1984

    The Sign Singers tour the South Island for Deaf Awareness in 1984, and are invited to perform on ‘In South Tonight’ while in Dunedin.

  6. 1982
    Video — Donated by Dulcie McKie Image of Dulcie McKie

    Sign Singers: 'Born Free'

    The Sign Singers perform the song 'Born Free' broadcast on Stars on Sunday in June 1982.

  7. 1981
    Video — Donated by Dulcie McKie Image of Dulcie McKie

    Sign Singers: 'I Hear Your Hand'

    The Sign Singers perform the song 'I Hear Your Hand' for the Stars on Sunday programme.

  8. 1982
    Video — Donated by Dulcie McKie Image of Dulcie McKie

    Sign Singers: 'Oh What a Beautiful Day'

    The Sign Singers perform 'Oh What a Beautiful Day' broadcast on Stars on Sunday in February 1983.

  9. 1982
    Video — Donated by Dulcie McKie Image of Dulcie McKie

    Sign Singers: 'Sailing'

    The Sign Singers perform the hit song 'Sailing' broadcast on Stars on Sunday in May 1982. Ian Watkins, introduces the group by saying “…and I’m delighted to welcome back to the programme the deaf sign singers.”

  10. 1985
    Video — Donated by Dulcie McKie Image of Dulcie McKie

    Telethon 1985

    The Sign Singers perform ‘You’re My Sunshine’ at the 1985 Telethon.

  11. 1984
    MAGAZINE – NEW ZEALAND DEAF NEWS

    NZ Deaf News: February 1984

  12. 1983
    MAGAZINE – NEW ZEALAND DEAF NEWS

    NZ Deaf News: July 1983

  13. 1986
    Video — Donated by Ngaire Doherty Image of Ngaire Doherty

    A 'Mime and Masks' show by Deaf Drama Group: A Visit to Kiwiland

    A Deaf Drama group perfoms 'A Visit to Kiwiland' at Kelston with supporting acts by the Sign Singers. The evening fundraised $766.00 towards the purchase of a TTY and to sponsor two pupils from Kelston to attend the World Deaf Games in Christchurch 1989.

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