2025 Festival Awards
SPECIAL AWARDS
Peter Goddard Memorial Award: Rosmini Big Band
Chairpersons Command Performance Award: Papatoetoe High School Stage Band for their performance of Caravan by Duke Ellington, arranged by Michael Sweeney
Joyce Fisher Mentoring Awards: Belinda Mittermeier from KingsWay School, Mercedes Trinchero from Baradene College of the Sacred Heart, Rachel Crellin from Elim Christian College Mount Albert, Racheal Mannering from Epsom Girls Grammar School
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SPECIAL AWARDS
Best Performance of a Classical Work: King's College Symphony Orchestra, directed by Emma Featherstone for their performance of 'Allegretto' Mvt. II from Symphony No. 7 in A Major, 0p.92 by L. V. Beethoven
Best Performance of a Romantic Work: Westlake Symphony Orchestra from Westlake Boys and Westlake Girls High Schools directed by David Squire for their performance of Overture to Poet and Peasant by Franz von Suppé
Best Performance of a Work in an ‘Other Style’: Westlake Symphony Orchestra directed by David Squire for their performance of Overture to Candide by Leonard Bernstein
Best Performance of a New Zealand work by a Symphony Orchestra: Avondale College Symphony Orchestra directed by Linda Filimoehala for their performance of Tango Mangle by Leonie Holmes
Outstanding Soloist Award: Saint Kentigern College Symphony Orchestra directed by Tom Chester for their performance of ‘Adagio’, Mvt. 2 from Violin Concerto No.1 in G minor, by Max Bruch with soloist Amy Chen
CHAMBER ORCHESTRA SPECIAL AWARDS
Best Performance of a Baroque Work: Saint Kentigern Chamber Orchestra directed by Miranda Hutton for their performance of Concerto for Strings in A minor by Antonio Vivaldi
Best Performance of Classical or Romantic Work: Sebastian Squad from St Cuthbert's College directed by Mark Bennett for their performance of Finale from Serenade for Strings by Tchaikovsky
Best Performance of a Work in an ‘Other Style’: Westlake Boys Camerata directed by Warwick Robinson for their performance of the Century One Tusonic by Richard Meyer
Best Performance of a New Zealand work by a Chamber Orchestra: Grammar Virtuosi from Auckland Grammar School directed by Christina Hahm for their performance of Concertino for Clarinet and String Orchestra by John Ritchie with soloist Daniel Grant
Outstanding Soloist Award: Avondale College Chamber Orchestra conducted by Derek Chan for their performance of Prelude from Concerto Grosso No.1 by Ernst Bloch with soloist Louis De Biasio on Piano
CONCERT BAND SPECIAL AWARDS
Best performance on an Original Concert Band Work: Saint Kentigern College Concert Band directed by Matt Baker for their performance of Godzilla Eats Las Vegas! by Eric Whitacre
Best Performance of an Arranged Work: Baradene Senior Concert Band directed by Nino Sloser for their performance of Spirited Away by Joe Hisaishi & Yumi Kimura, arranged by Kazuhiro Morita
Best Performance of a pre-1950’s Work: Liston Concert Band directed by Chad Davenport for their performance of Fantasia on the Dargason, Mvt. 4 from Second Suite in F for Military Band by Gustav Holst
Best Performance of a New Zealand Work by a Concert Band: Westlake Concert Band from Westlake Girls and Westlake Boys High Schools directed by Warwick Robinson for their performance of: Shōu Jù Op. 20 - for Piano, Peking Orchestra Percussion and Concert Band with soloist Luke (Yu Yang) Ding by student composer Luke (Yu Yang) Ding
Outstanding Soloist Award: Macleans College Concert Band conducted by Dr. Steve Miles for their performance of Beelzebub with tuba soloist Daniel Hulley
JAZZ BAND SPECIAL AWARDS
Best performance on a Swing Chart: Wellington College Big Band directed by Liam Boyle for their performance of Vine Street Rumble by Benny Carter
Best Performance of a Ballad: Sancta Maria College Big Band directed by Lukas Fritsch for their performance of Lil Darlin by Neal Hefti
Best Performance of a Work in an ‘Other Style’: Westlake Big Band directed by Eddie Hare for their performance of What About Me? by Michael League
Best Performance of a New Zealand work by a Jazz Band: Pukekohe High School Stage Band directed by Steven Granshaw for their performance of You Gotta Know by Karl Steven & Jo Fisher, arranged by Francisco Torres
Jazz Improvisation Award: Saint Kentigern Big Band directed by Albert Lee & Nate Collings
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - adjudicated by Beth Cohen and Ashley Brown
ACG Parnell Symphony Orchestra PARTICIPATION
AGS Symphony Orchestra SILVER
Avondale College Symphony Orchestra SILVER
BDSC Orchestra BRONZE
Black Watch Orchestra GOLD
Carmel College Orchestra BRONZE
ConcorDio Intermediate Strings BRONZE
Dilworth Junior Orchestra HIGHLY COMMENDED
Diocesan Symphony Orchestra SILVER
Duchesne Orchestra PARTICIPATION
Epsom Symphonia SILVER
King's College Symphony Orchestra SILVER
Kingsway Symphony Orchestra BRONZE
Macleans College Sinfonietta SILVER
Macleans College Symphony Orchestra GOLD, plus a nomination for the Peter Goddard Memorial Award
MAGS Symphony Orchestra HIGHLY COMMENDED
Petra Musica BRONZE
Pinehurst College Orchestra BRONZE
Rangitoto College Symphony Orchestra SILVER
Rosmini College Orchestra HIGHLY COMMENDED
Saint Kentigern College Symphony Orchestra GOLD
Saint Kentigern MacFarlan Strings BRONZE
Saint Kentigern Servanda Strings SILVER
Sancta Maria College Festival Orchestra PARTICIPATION
St Mary's College Orchestra SILVER
St Peter’s College Orchestra SILVER, plus a nomination for the Peter Goddard Memorial Award
St Peter's & Baradene College Symphony Orchestra GOLD
Taharoto Strings BRONZE
Waikato Diocesan & Fairfield College Orchestra BRONZE
Wellington College & Wellington Girls' College Orchestra SILVER
Westlake Symphony Orchestra GOLD
CHAMBER ORCHESTRA - adjudicated by Lara Hall and Minglun Liu
ACG Parnell College String Orchestra SILVER
ACG Strathallan Chamber Orchestra HIGHLY COMMENDED
ACG Sunderland Chamber Orchestra PARTICIPATION
AGS Concertante BRONZE
Avondale College Chamber Orchestra GOLD
Dilworth Junior Chamber Orchestra BRONZE
Dilworth Senior Chamber Orchestra BRONZE
Diocesan Chamber Orchestra BRONZE
Elim Stage Ensemble HIGHLY COMMENDED
Epsom Chamber Orchestra BRONZE
Epsom String Ensemble HIGHLY COMMENDED
Glendowie College String Ensemble PARTICIPATION
Grammar Virtuosi GOLD
Kristin Middle School Orchestra BRONZE
Lynfield College Chamber Orchestra HIGHLY COMMENDED
Macleans College Chamber Orchestra SILVER
MRGS String Orchestra BRONZE, plus a nomination for the Peter Goddard Memorial Award
Pakūranga College Chamber Orchestra BRONZE
Rangitoto College Chamber Orchestra GOLD
Rangitoto College String Orchestra BRONZE
Saint Kentigern Chamber Orchestra GOLD
Sancta Maria College Symphonia BRONZE
Sebastian Squad SILVER
St Mary's College Chamber Orchestra GOLD
Takapuna Grammar String Orchestra BRONZE
Westlake Boys Camerata GOLD
Westlake Chamber Orchestra SILVER
JAZZ BAND - adjudicated by Roger Manins and Louisa Williamson
ACG Strathallan Jazzcito BRONZE
ACG Strathallan Stocktakers SILVER
AGS Big Band SILVER
Baradene College & St Peter’s College Stage Band BRONZE
BDSC Jazz Band BRONZE
Carmel Jazz Band PARTICIPATION
Edgewater College Jazz Band BRONZE
Edgewater College Little Big Band PARTICIPATION
Epsom Big Band BRONZE
Glendowie College Big Band SILVER
Howick College Jazz Band BRONZE, plus a nomination for the Peter Goddard Memorial Award
KC Connections SILVER
King's College Little Big Band SILVER
Kristin Big Band BRONZE
Liston Jazz Band SILVER
Long Bay College Big Band BRONZE
Lynfield College Big Band GOLD
Marcellin College Jazz Saints SILVER
MRGS Jazz Band SILVER
Northcote College Big Band BRONZE
Orewa College Junior Jazz PARTICIPATION
Orewa College Senior Jazz Band BRONZE, plus a nomination for the Peter Goddard Memorial Award
Origin from Massey High School BRONZE
Owairaka Jazz Ensemble BRONZE
Pakūranga College Jazz Band BRONZE
Papatoetoe High School Stage Band SILVER
Pukekohe High School Big Band SILVER
Pukekohe High School Stage Band GOLD
Rangitoto College Big Band SILVER
Rangitoto College Jazz Band BRONZE
Rosehill College Jazz Band HIGHLY COMMENDED
Rosmini Big Band BRONZE
Sacred Heart College Big Band SILVER
Saint Kentigern Big Band GOLD
Saint Kentigern Junior Jazz Orchestra PARTICIPATION
Saint Kentigern Jazz Orchestra BRONZE
Sancta Maria College Big Band GOLD
Sancta Maria College Stage Band BRONZE
Selwyn College Jazz Band SILVER
St Cuthbert's College B Band PARTICIPATION
St Cuthbert's College Stage Band SILVER
St Mary's College Big Band SILVER
St Mary's College Jazz Band BRONZE
St Peter's College Big Band GOLD
Takapuna Grammar Jazz Combo HIGHLY COMMENDED
Wellington College Big Band GOLD
Westlake Big Band GOLD
Westlake Boys Stage Band BRONZE
WGHS Jazz Band SILVER
Whangaparāoa College Big Band BRONZE
CONCERT BAND - adjudicated by Grant Burns and Reuben Brown
ACG Strathallan Concert Band HIGHLY COMMENDED
ASDAH Brass PARTICIPATION
AGS Premier Concert Band SILVER
AGS Wind Band BRONZE
Baradene College Symphonic Band PARTICIPATION
Baradene Senior Concert Band GOLD
Black Watch Winds HIGHLY COMMENDED
Dilworth Junior Concert Band SILVER
Dilworth Senior Concert Band SILVER
Diocesan Concert Band SILVER
Dunstan’s Band PARTICIPATION
Epsom Concert Band BRONZE
Glendowie College Concert Band BRONZE
King's College Premier Concert Band GOLD
Kristin Concert Band SILVER
Liston Concert Band GOLD
Long Bay College Concert Band BRONZE
Lynfield College Concert Band HIGHLY COMMENDED
Macleans College Concert Band GOLD
Macleans College Symphonic Band BRONZE
MRGS Concert Band BRONZE
Northcote College Concert Band HIGHLY COMMENDED
Orewa College Concert Band BRONZE
Orewa College Symphonic Band PARTICIPATION
Pakūranga College Concert Band BRONZE
Pukekohe High School Concert Band SILVER
Pukekohe High School Wind Band BRONZE
Rangitoto College Concert Band SILVER
Rangitoto College Wind Orchestra HIGHLY COMMENDED
Rutherford College Concert Band BRONZE
Sacred Heart Premier Concert Band BRONZE
Saint Kentigern College Concert Band GOLD
Saint Kentigern College Symphonic Band BRONZE
Sancta Maria College Concert Band SILVER
Selwyn College Concert Band BRONZE
St Dominic's Catholic College Flex Ensemble PARTICIPATION
St Mary's College Concert Band SILVER
St Mary's College Symphonic Band HIGHLY COMMENDED
St Peter's College Senior Concert Band GOLD
St Peter's College Symphonic Band BRONZE
Takapuna Grammar Concert Band SILVER
Wellington Colleges Youth Band HIGHLY COMMENDED
Westlake Boys Symphonic Band SILVER
Westlake Concert Band GOLD
WGHS Symphonic Band BRONZE
Whangaparāoa College Concert Band BRONZE