A Gala Christmas Concert

Free

Four of Napier’s premier music groups will join forces to present a Gala Christmas concert at 5pm on Saturday, December 20th, in the Waiapu Cathedral, Napier. Octavius Chamber Choir will be joined by the Hawks Brass Quintet, the Waiapu Cathedral Choir and the Cathedral Strings.

Octavius is a 12-voice choir that has gained a loyal following since it was established in 2017. The group presents two or three concerts each year, usually in Napier but sometimes further afield. In this concert, Octavius’ programme will include a Merry Christmas medley and some favourite festive fare: “ I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus”, “Follow that Star,” and “Do You Hear What I Hear?”

The Hawks are a group of highly-skilled horn players who are members of the Bay Cities Symphonic Band. They performed with Octavius in a Christmas concert in 2024 and with the Cathedral Choir in a sold-out Art Deco Festival concert in February this year. The Hawks will present a variety of Christmas melodies, including “Sleigh Ride”, selections from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” and a jazzy Christmas suite. They will accompany Octavius in a Latino version of “Jingle Bells” and, with the Strings, provide the perfect accompaniment for the audience sing-along of some well-known carols. The Waiapu Cathedral Choir is known for their superb singing in services and concerts throughout the year. They will present two of English composer John Rutter’s best-loved Christmas songs: the “Shepherd’s Pipe Carol” and “Candlelight Carol”, and join with Octavius to sing another Rutter favourite, “Twelve Days of Christmas”.

The Cathedral Strings – violin, viola, cello and double bass players - regularly support the Cathedral Choir in special services and concerts. They will take centre stage to perform ”A Wreath of Carols” as well as accompanying both choirs in several items, and the audience in the sing-along carols.

Everyone is welcome to enjoy this celebration of Christmas, and to make sure the concert is accessible to all, there is no entry fee; instead, audience members will be invited to make a Koha donation at the end of the programme.

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