Choral Society welcomes newcomers

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

If singing in the most popular major choral work ever, and having the chance to belt out a rousing Hallelujah chorus, have ever been on your bucket list, the time to act is now.

Gisborne Choral Society has just started rehearsing Handel's Messiah, for performance in early December.

It is six years since the society last presented this work, when solo parts were filled by a predominance of young local singers.

The line-up this year is yet to be decided but in the meantime there is plenty of work to be getting on with rehearsing the range of choruses which hold the work together.

A core of choral society members has performed the work enough times to be familiar with much of it.

“That's why it would be a good time for people who would like to join in, but fear the challenge might be too much, to come along,” said choral society president Mary-Jane Richmond.

“There will be plenty of support for newcomers from those of us who know the work well.”

She said the benefits of singing, especially in a group, are well-documented.

“Studies have shown choir singing synchronises the heart and soothes the head. The feelings of unity and wellbeing generated are especially valuable as we come out of a turbulent few years.”

Musical director Gavin Maclean will be conducting the work. Coralie Hunter, the choir's rehearsal pianist, will support the singers from the keyboard.

The choir rehearses every Tuesday evening at St Andrew's Community Centre in Cobden Street, next door to St Andrew's Church and behind Pak'nSave. Rehearsals start at 7.30pm.