For the past week, the auditioning choir 'Bel Suono' of Waikato Diocesan School for Girls under the direction of the Head of Music Maria Colvin have been participating in an International Music festival in Sydney, Australia.  Twenty-seven school-age musical groups from five countries (New Zealand, Australia, the United States, Taiwan and the People's Republic of China) gathered to perform in adjudicated concerts, to participate in workshops with professional musicians, and to showcase their musical abilities in Festival Concerts at venues across Sydney.  A highlight for the girls from Dio was performing on the stage of the Sydney Opera House, where they demonstrated their exceptional musical abilities with a wide-ranging repertoire.  Bishop Helen-Ann, along with Principal Vicky McLennan joined the choir for a few days, and were delighted to hear the girls perform.  Bishop Helen-Ann said 'watching the girls perform was inspirational; they are amazing ambassadors both for the school, and for the wider life of the Diocese.  The girls exemplify qualities that are a testimony to the highest quality of the educational and formational development that they receive at Dio.  The staff too, joined the girls on stage, and seeing them all performing the waiata on stage left me bursting with pride at our school.'

The girls' performances wowed the adjudicating panel, and resulted in them being selected along with two other musical groups out of the total of twenty-seven groups as 'adjudicators' choice' winners (and the only choir).  The standard across the board was incredibly high, so this is a fantastic achievement, and one that we should all celebrate!

Congratulations Bel Suono!

Update: On Saturday evening, the choir found out that they had been awarded a Gold medal by the adjudicators for their performance!