Inspiring Christmas spirit in song

 

WORDS & PHOTOS BY JULIA WADE

Brimming with festive harmonies and spirit, a recent Christmas concert showcased a myriad of Kaipara’s musical talent enjoyed by many who came together to celebrate the season through song.

Featuring a large variety of singers and strummers with melodies ranging from modern day meaningful ballads to traditional Christmas hymns, audience sing-a-longs and even a Christmas book reading, Mangawhai’s Christmas Carol Concert played to a packed Library Hall on the night of December 21. 

Performers – many only in their early teens with the youngest courageous singer only eight years old – came from as far away as Dargaville to share their talent in solo, duet and group acts. 

Kaiwaka couple Maura and Peter Flower, who performed ‘Little Drummer Boy’ together, organised the event which was MC’d by Kaipara deputy mayor, Peter Wethey, who also showed his musical skills as a member of Mangawhai’s local ukulele group, Totally Uked. On closing, Wethey and the audience applauded the Flowers for organising the successful Christmas concert.

“I hope you feel that your valuable work has been well rewarded,” he said. “I would like to thank all the wonderful performers, getting up on stage can be an ordeal especially for the younger ones, they practiced really hard and did a remarkable job.” 

Concert-goers gave over $500 in koha for the event, with proceeds donated to Mangawhai’s social support and advocacy agency, Te Whai Community Trust. The money will be contributed to the organisation’s annual aroha baskets – food and gift parcels that are distributed to deserving, struggling families to help with the extra demands at Christmas time – Te Whai secretary, Sue Poynter says. 

“We are most grateful for the generous koha. This year there was an increased demand for assistance over the holiday period, which is ongoing, and to date, Te Whai has distributed over 65 aroha baskets in the Mangawhai area.” 
The total number of the baskets is more than twice the number of last year where 25 were gifted, reflecting the growing need and possibly population growth, in the surrounding community.  

 If anyone wishes to contribute, either as an ongoing sponsorship or a one-off donation, please contact Helen for details at tewhaitrust@gmail.com.

1: Mangawhai’s own community choir began with a rousing rendition of the medieval Latin Christmas song ‘Gaudete’ which was first published in the 16th century. The group also gave a moving version of Cold Play’s hit ‘Fix You’, to acknowledge the many who struggle through the festive season. 

2: 
Newly-formed vocal group, the gifted ‘Songbirds’ performed beautiful synchronised harmonies.