Internationally acclaimed for its exceptional standard of performance and high levels of youth participation, the festival has garnered further recognition through the global success of the film Tinā.

Both choirs delivered outstanding performances. We now eagerly await the results and the awarding of Distinction and Highly Commended certificates, as well as the announcement of the choirs progressing to the Cadenza and Finale stages.

Dio Cantoris, our new all-comers choir for students in Years 9 to 13, gave a spirited performance of About the Boy at the Gala Concert, receiving warm applause from a packed audience.

St Cecilia Singers, our elite senior choir, achieved a remarkable triumph by winning the top award for Best Festival Recital Programme by an Upper Voice Choir. This honour recognises them as the top secondary school girls’ choir in New Zealand for 2025—an extraordinary achievement. The last time St Cecilia Singers received this accolade was in 2017 under the leadership of Shona McIntyre-Bull. This year’s win, under the expert direction of Dr Jono Palmer, almost certainly secures their place at the prestigious Big Sing National Finale.

At the Gala, the choir delivered a powerful and moving performance of a newly commissioned Samoan work, beautifully led by our Head Prefect, Lotosina Tavui.

We are immensely proud of the passion, dedication, and talent shown by our choirs. These results are a testament to the strength of choral music at Dio.