Chamber ensembles include groups who enter the national Chamber Music Contest and Lewis Eady Music Contest. Musicians also regularly perform in Play It Strange and Rockquest - alongside New Zealand’s leading rock musicians.

Music at Dio
For Senior students our co-curricular music programme includes: Dio Chamber Orchestra, Dio Symphony, Senior Choir and St Cecilia Singers (elite choir), Stage Band, Concert Band, Handbells, Jazz Combo, Chamber Music Groups, Rockquest Bands (competitive rock bands), Musical Productions

Chamber music

Choral singing
We have a strong choral singing tradition and our vocal groups in the Senior School include our elite choir, St Cecilia Singers and our Senior Choir, which rank among the country’s best.

House choirs and dance
Every year our eight school houses prepare and perform music in a competitive setting. House choirs and the associated dance opportunities provide some of the highlights of the school calendar

Carol service
Carol services involving the whole school and its community are held at Holy Trinity Cathedral and highlight the musical and spiritual activity of the school.

Musical showcase
This annual event showcases our musical ensembles to the wider community. Held at Holy Trinity Cathedral, this spectacular event involves hundreds of students, offering fascinating insights into the progressive development of music throughout Dio.

Concerto and aria contest
Elite musicians have the opportunity to perform concertos or sing operatic arias within a competitive environment. Accompanied by our chamber orchestra and adjudicated by renowned professionals, this formal setting offers invaluable performance experience for the girls. Substantial cash awards are presented for piano and voice.

Lunchtime concerts
Lunchtime concerts are offered throughout the year for individual and ensemble performance.

Music awards
Dio Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra have consistently won awards at the Auckland region KBB Festival and chamber ensembles have featured in the finals of the NZ Community Trust Chamber Music Contest. Diocesan choirs regularly feature in the national finals of the Big Sing Choral Festival as well as winning regional awards. Our rock band has regularly made the Auckland Final of the Smokefree Rockquest.

Music mentor programmes
The NZSO Mentor Programme is an arts partnership between THE EDGE and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. It gives our students exclusive opportunities to interact with an NZSO player as mentor, entry to NZSO performances and opportunities within the profession.
Our students are regular recipients of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Scholarships.
Play it Strange, a mentoring and performance opportunity set up as part of New Zealand Music Month in May, has featured Diocesan girls since its inception. Students work alongside professional rock musicians in a professional setting with professional equipment