Marsden’s premier choir, Altissime, has enjoyed an outstanding few days of music-making, culminating in a Tūī Award – the highest of Cadenza’s three award levels – and the award for Best Performance of the Set Piece, Scarborough Fair at The Big Sing Cadenza in Whanganui.

The awards were announced following the Gala Concert at the Royal Whanganui Opera House, bringing to a close two days of competition, workshops and music-making alongside 11 other selected secondary school choirs from across the Lower North Island.

Heads of Altissime Abigail Hyde and Akshara Ravi with Choir Director Shawn Michael Condon

Directed by Shawn Michael Condon and accompanied by Marsden's Director of Music Marian Campbell, Altissime presented a programme of Let It Be Forgotten, Scarborough Fair, Mihi and Ergen Deda.

The Scarborough Fair award carried its own distinction. Brent Stewart, the 2026 Cadenza adjudicator, arranged the piece as this year’s set work, with all 12 choirs learning and presenting it individually during the competition.

Altissime also had the honour of leading the New Zealand Sign Language interpretation of the national anthem during the Gala Concert.

The choir looked resplendent in its new uniforms, featuring sashes depicting a stylised Marsden blue hydrangea, representing deep tradition with an elegant touch of modernity.

Altissime with Director of Music Marian Campbell (left) and Choir Director Shawn Michael Condon (right)

The music-making began before the choir reached Whanganui. On Saturday evening, Altissime stopped in Palmerston North to perform with Bella and the Fellas of Freyberg High School at Pathways Presbyterian Church. They were hosted by Roy Tankersley, Marsden’s former Head of Music from 1994 to 2003, and the two choirs shared a meal together afterwards.

Another wonderful Marsden connection came during the Cadenza competition performances, when Marsden alumna Leonie Verde (née Symes), now in her 90s, came along to support Altissime. Leonie was the school musician in 1949 and 1950 and went on to build a career as an opera singer, travelling and performing around the world. Her presence created a lovely link between generations of Marsden musicians.

Another wonderful Marsden connection came during the Cadenza competition performances, when Marsden alumna Leonie Verde (née Symes), now in her 90s, came along to support Altissime. Leonie was the school musician in 1949 and 1950 and went on to build a career as an opera singer, travelling and performing around the world. Her presence created a lovely link between generations of Marsden musicians.

Marsden Old Girl Leonie Verde (née Symes) with Director of Performing Arts Sarah Wilson

Congratulations to Altissime, Shawn and Marian on this exceptional achievement.