Mayor, musicians and vocal talent unite for festive concert at Gisborne church

Gisborne Choral Society, accompanied by a band of instrumentalists, practise ahead of the festive Christmas concert this weekend at St Andrew's Church.

Last year’s Christmas concert at St Andrew’s Church was such a success, they are doing it again.

Director of music at Gisborne Presbyterian Parish Catherine Macdonald, Sean Scanlen and Gavin Maclean have joined forces and will stage the concert this weekend with the enthusiastic support of the church’s parish council.

The team agreed to use Scanlen’s arrangements from last year with local talent performing and leading the audience sing-alongs, MacDonald said.

Scanlen has invited a band of instrumentalists to accompany the carols and Maclean will conduct band and choir.

The choir boasts a backbone of Gisborne Choral Society members with community singers who are enjoying the challenge of four-part carol singing.

The evening will include a mix of choir items and traditional carols for the audience to sing.

“It’s going to be a thrilling experience with such strong vocal and instrumental backing,” MacDonald said.

These are interspersed with traditional Bible readings recounting ancient prophecies and the much-loved Christmas stories.

Readers include Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz and Deputy Mayor Josh Wharehinga, who will join the choir and clergy in the opening processional.

Other readers are Reverend Bronwen Marchant from Holy Trinity and Father Mark Field from St Mary’s Star of the Sea with Reverend Dr Clive Yates and Reverend Mike Cotton.

This year some musicians will step forward to read, including Waiora Paul-Utiera, who conducts the Gisborne Concert Band and teaches at Lytton High School with Dr Scanlen, and Judy Livingston QSM.

One of the youngest choir members, Adrianna Hoogland, will read the Magnificat. Another chorister, Elenora Raines, will sing the iconic solo opening verse of Once in Royal David’s City.

“Bob Bos from Gisborne Presbyterian Parish and Monty Copeland of Lytton High School, who read so beautifully last year, make up the line-up of readers for the night,” said MacDonald.

“We look forward to an exhilarating evening celebrating Christmas without a commercial backdrop.”

St Andrew’s Concert Series

Sunday, December 15 7pm

Concert of the traditional Lessons and Carols for Christmas.

Admission free. Optional koha or donation to performers

176 Cobden St, Gisborne.

Presented by the Gisborne Presbyterian Parish, assisted by Marjorie Redstone Trust, J.N. Williams Memorial Trust and H.B. Williams Turanga Trust.