The musical cords were chosen to reflect the moment between light and dark.
"This waiata depicts the magical nostalgia that is the fairies' dawning dance," Hall said.
She said it was a rewarding experience to lead a large choir in such a "beautiful, eerie and magical celebration" of Tauranga and its unique origins.
"Takiri Ko Te Ata is also a celebration of the power of music to bring people together," she said.
This was the second time Takiri Ko Te Ata had been performed en masse since 2015, Hall said, and this year about 200 singers would perform the waiata on October 18.
ACG Tauranga's principal Shawn Hutchinson said being involved in these events helped bring music more alive for his students.
It also helped them to develop a greater appreciation of teo reo and the local heritage, he said.
ACG is sponsoring the Takiri Ko Te Ata dawn chorus event.
Tauranga Arts Festival spokeswoman Nikki Hansen said individual choir rehearsals around the city would culminate in a combined rehearsal closer to the start of the festival.
More details of the final make-up of the choir would be revealed later, she said.
"It's real privilege to have Ria on board as festival patron and leading the dawn chorus, as well as her being one of our headline acts," Ms Hansen said.
Tauranga Arts Festival
Runs from October 19-29
Seven venues, including Baycourt
Book tickets online at www.ticketek.co.nz or at Baycourt's box office in Durham St
More information at www.taurangafestival.co.nz