Cadenza Adjudicator announced
30 Apr 2026
We're delighted to announce Brent Stewart as this year’s Cadenza adjudicator.
Brent will bring significant expertise to the choirs selected for the three Cadenza’s later in the year. He is a leading New Zealand conductor, percussionist, and pianist. This year his conducting engagements include the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia, Orchestra Wellington, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Opera, and the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
Brent is currently the Artistic Director of Opus Orchestra, Music Director of Orpheus Choir Wellington, Assistant Conductor and Pianist of the New Zealand Secondary Students' Choir, Principal Timpani of Orchestra Wellington and last year was appointed Friedlander Foundation Associate Artist at New Zealand Opera.
As well as adjudicating the three Cadenza Festivals, Brent will get to hear his own arrangement of the English folksong Scarborough Fair many times. He has arranged the set piece to be sung by all Cadenza choirs individually and as a massed item at the gala concerts. Brent's arrangements allow for any choir size and configuration with two and three parts, with and without accompaniment. Click here for more information about Cadenza.