Cadenza
Cadenza combines the excitement of a competitive, Finale-style event with the extra dimension of massed workshops, featuring an internationally-recognised choral specialist who also acts as adjudicator. These two-day events, which involve a total of 36 choirs from across New Zealand, culminate in a public gala concert where all choirs at the festival showcase an item from their Cadenza repertoire and sing together music prepared with our adjudicator.
The 2025 Cadenza festivals will take place in three centres – one in the South Island, one in the lower North Island and one in the upper North Island – with 12 choirs in each. Those invited to attend Cadenza are the 12 choirs from their area ranked immediately below those selected for Finale, with a limit of one choir per school.
The choirs who have been selected for Cadenza and Finale will be announced on this website and on NZCF social media on Monday 23 June at 3pm.
The dates for the 2025 Cadenza festivals are below:
| Cadenza | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Lower North Island Cadenza | Royal Whanganui Opera House, WHANGANUI | Sunday 10 and Monday 11 August |
| South Island Cadenza | Craighead Diocesan and Sacred Heart Basilica (Gala), TIMARU | Friday 15 and Saturday 16 August |
| Upper North Island Cadenza | Sir Howard Morrison Centre, ROTORUA | Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 August |
The set piece for the 2025 Cadenza festivals will be Sumer Is Icumen In. The set piece will be one of four pieces performed by each choir during the festival, and will also serve as the massed item at the gala concert.
Click here for more information about the Cadenza set piece, including scores, sound files, arranger's notes and more.
The Cadenza adjudicator for 2024 was Tuilagi Dr. Igelese Ete. Read more about him here.
See the list of awards from the 2024 Cadenza festivals.
