Dilworth School is turning up the tempo, with the launch of a revolutionary Music curriculum and a new choral director who has toured with the world’s greatest rock bands.
Music has long been a Dilworth strong suit, but its new offerings firmly cement its place as a school of musical excellence that creates exciting musical pathways for students.
Junior Campus Students playing instruments at the Junior Campus Open Day.
Not only does everyone at Dilworth learn an instrument from Years 7–9, but all Year 10 students will spend five months singing in the Year 10 choir and represent the school at the prestigious Big Sing competition.
Head of Performing Arts, David Stent, is at the helm of the school’s musical transformation. In his six years at Dilworth he set up orchestras and concert bands at every year level, established the Senior Big Band (which won gold at last year’s KBB Music Festival), and the Senior Concert Band (which achieved silver at KBB in its inaugural year). Now he’s ready to launch the school’s first-ever Senior Chamber Orchestra and is about to create a Symphony Orchestra.
Dilworth and Diocesan School Big Band playing together at the 2022 KBB competition.
Not only does Dilworth provide top drawer musical offerings, it is the only school that provides a wraparound scholarship to every single student covering the full cost of their education.
“Without these scholarships many of these young men would never be given the chance to explore music,” David says.
With Dilworth’s support, its talented musical students have gone on to perform on the global stage. Dilworth’s elite choir, Fortissimo, has been the launchpad for professional singers like Samson Setu, Joel Amosa and Filipe Manu - and with the arrival of Jacob Moore as Director of Choral Music, more big names will undoubtedly follow.
Drummer of former Kiwi rock band The Checks, Jacob has toured Australia with Oasis and opened for AC/DC and REM, but despite his rockstar lifestyle, choral music has always remaine his anchor. A singer in the globally acclaimed Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir, he trained under the legendary Dr Karen Grylls ONZM, and prior to joining Dilworth, transformed the choral programme at Takapuna Grammar School. “Choral music is my life and focus now. I feel lucky to do what I love every day, sharing my passion and opening up opportunities for students. My goal is to get them to love music as much as I do,” says Jacob.
When Dilworth students aren’t playing an instrument or honing their voices, they might be practising their debating skills, excelling in cultural endeavours, enjoying a game of football, rugby basketball, or one of the myriad other sports on offer at the school. Plus, with 100% of Dilworth students passing NCEA in 2022 and a fully refreshed academic curriculum, they’re well placed to meet and exceed their academic expectations, too.
To register now for Dilworth’s Junior Campus Open Day on Sunday 28 May 2023 (for Years 7 and 8) please click here.