Mangawhai Singers entertain with festive fundraiser

 

BY JULIA WADE

It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas on a recent star-filled, silent night as a large crowd welcomed the coming holiday season with a magical festive-infusing, fundraising concert.

More than 80 people crowded into Mangawhai Museum’s foyer on November 30 to enjoy the Mangawhai Singers and their wide scale of talent, with harmonious renditions of both classical and contemporary Christmas carols, festive songs as well as a few quirky and humorous melodies.

Emceed by Jo Roberts, who included interesting tales on the history of each song, the sold-out event raised $1600 with all proceeds donated directly to the Mangawhai Museum, conductor Christine Bygrave says.

“We were delighted with the reception the concert received on Saturday and I have had lots of positive feedback,” she says. “We’ve been practising for the last two-and-ahalf months… it’s great to see the enjoyment on the faces of our audiences.”

Performing together for ten years, the 24 talented singers, including an organist and pianist, appear to embody the true spirit of the season all year round, giving fundraiser concerts for a number of organisations including Hospice, Pioneer Village and St John as well as entertain at the Hakaru RSA.

Singers also provided mid-concert supper, served with a glass of wine for the audience Bygrave says. “We enjoy the camaraderie that singing creates.” Mangawhai Museum and Historical Society Inc manager Emma Gray says the donation will go towards general running of the museum. “On behalf of the museum, I’d like to say a huge thank you to Christine Bygrave and the Mangawhai Singers for another stand-out concert.

We appreciate your ongoing generosity.” The group also sang at Bennetts of Mangawhai on December 10, the income from that event to be donated to the local Fairy Tern association.