The performances in the Dilworth Arts Showcase just kept coming last Tuesday night—orchestral, drama, barbershop, and choir—junior and seniors—each performance simply stunning, leaving whānau, students, staff and special guests, who packed the Diocesan auditorium, in awe.
The evening showcased student talent across music, choir, and drama at Dilworth, celebrating another incredible year - our students’ exceptional talent, dedication, creativity, and teamwork were clearly evident. Hours of effort go into producing performances of this high calibre, and behind every student and every performance is the commitment and dedication of the Music and Drama teaching team, led by Head of Learning Area - Performing Arts, Mr David Stent.
Every performance last Tuesday was a highlight, and just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, it kept coming! There were so many outstanding performances, each different from the last. Audience favourites included our gold-winning choir, Fortissimo, and award-winning Junior Choir. Barbershop, new to Dilworth this year, was also a crowd pleaser, as was the incredible musical performance by Alex Bai—his talent is almost beyond belief, and it was amazing to watch his fingers fly across the keyboard close-up.
We don’t often get to see drama presented like this, and it was a real treat to watch the shorter pieces performed by our award-winning Drama students; to see their depth and versatility — they were also wickedly funny.
The evening was not only a showcase but also the annual prize giving for our Music and Drama students.
Huge congratulations to every award winner.
It was an incredibly tough contest for the evening's ultimate prize, the Irish Cup.
Mr David Stent invited Mr Aaron Hockley—newly appointed member of the Dilworth Trust, Old Boy of the class of 1996, and two-time winner of the Irish Cup himself—to the stage to present the award.
Mr Stent commented, “The Irish Cup for Performer of the Year is the Performing Arts equivalent of the Dux. It is the most distinguished and illustrious honour that can be awarded in the Performing Arts at Dilworth.”
He went on to say that this year’s nominees were represented across a range of ensembles and disciplines, as well as being involved in Scholarship programmes, external competitions, and high-level examinations in many cases.
Six students were nominated this year, with Mr Stent noting, “These young men all exemplify the combination of STRENGTH and DETERMINATION that leads to the highest levels of success—will, urgency, initiative, and rigour are the qualities of character that allow them to elevate their work to true excellence”.
Alex Bai was the winner of the Irish Cup and Performer of the Year.
His year has been outstanding.
Mr Stent concluded by thanking the technical team at Diocesan and the Dilworth Trust Board.
“My heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Dilworth Trust for supporting our efforts and enabling and equipping so many boys to be involved in such a vast and excellent range of activities in the Arts at Dilworth”.
He also gave heartfelt thanks to his team:
“Thank you to my team of committed and passionate professionals, staff and itinerant teachers, for driving our boys with an eye for challenge and aspiration, pushing them to become bigger, better, prouder, and more authentic performers”.
They certainly pulled it off in 2025
