Mangawhai Singers finish on a high note

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WORDS / PHOTOS / JULIA WADE

19 Dec, 2022

 

A singing group world-famous in Mangawhai, who have raised thousands of dollars for the community over their 13-year time-span, recently performed their final farewell in a bittersweet festive concert.

In a two-night last show spectacular The Mangawhai Singers delighted and amused concert-goers with their aptly-named performance ‘Time to Remember’ at the Mangawhai Museum on December 9 and 10.

The 20-strong choir harmonies – conducted by Christine Bygrave and accompanied by piano and guitar – featured a synthesis of well-loved festive songs, love duets, country tunes as well as comical skits and even line dancing, from ‘The Gambler’ and ‘The Rose’ to a bit of Kiwiana with Dave Dobbyn’s ‘Welcome Home’ and World War One song ‘Haea Ra’ as well as Christmas favourites ‘Silent Night’, ‘O Holy Night’ and ‘White Christmas’.

First forming in 2008, the Singers originated from a group of people ‘who just wanted to enjoy singing together’ Christine says, mainly meeting and rehearsing in her and husband Bill’s home ‘because we had a piano and a large lounge’.

“In 2009, Mary Bennett asked us to sing a Christmas concert at the chocolate factory, it was our first one and the money was given to a charity of Mary’s choice,” she says. “With Des Chitty on guitar, it was a great success and was followed by several others at Bennetts and we also received requests for us to sing on various occasions for our community. We just enjoyed the joy of music.”

Over time the Singers’ popularity grew and the group’s musical talent was requested by various organisations and occasions from the Wellsford Rebus Club, Mangawhai’s Probus club (now Rebus Club), Mangawhai Garden Club to the Monday golfers, Hakaru’s RSA for Armistice and Anzac Days, the Women’s Section and Christmas and appearances at the popular Walking Weekend attraction.

“The choir membership also grew and Des was soon joined by Reg Jaques who played his organ, always by ear, and various pianists joined our ranks over the years including Veronica Butler and lately Judy Faris.”

Besides events, the long-standing crew also performed at annual fundraising concerts, sometimes twice a year, for the local St John, Historic Village, the dedication of the new church Christ the King, a fundraising concert for Maungaturoto’s Dementia Unit and for the area’s museum in Matakohe, Dargaville Museum and Mangawhai.

“Proceeds were always given to support our community or to a charitable cause, and with 20 concerts over 13 years we actually helped raise in excess of $40,000,” Christine says. “No criteria was ever set for anybody wanting to join us, no auditions, only a love of music and singing. We would like to thank our community for supporting our choir over our many years. It has been a wonderful and fulfilling musical journey. Thank you choir, it has been an absolute pleasure.”

 

First forming in 2008, the Mangawhai Singers originated from a group of people who just wanted to enjoy singing together. Over the years the group’s popularity grew and their musical talent was requested by many organisations.

 

“No criteria was ever set for anybody wanting to join us, no auditions, only a love of music and singing.”

– Christine Bygrave

 

1. ‘The Mangawhai Singers’ have sung their last song as a collective, going out with a bittersweet bang at a recent Christmas concert, their multi-musical talent once again raising cash for the community. Front: John Lambert, Neville Dowson, Bill and Christine Bygrave, Isabel McClean, Bev Ross and Janis Martin. Second row: guitarist Lindsay McCaw, Des Chitty, John Dowling, Lynne McDermott, Celia McCain, Tania Creek and pianist Judy Faris. Back row: Bill Cullen, Jone Yelich, Daniel Twinn, Paula Whyte, Vicki Cox and Liz Lawrence. Absent: Sue Grimwood.

 

3. Trio of divas – Isabel McClean, Bev Ross and Janis Martin – in beautiful harmony with ‘The Rose of Tralee’ and ‘Bells of Bethlehem’.

 

4. Jone Yelich and Liz Lawrence’s love duet ‘I’ll be seeing you’.

 

5. Always popular, ‘The Gambler’ performed by Des Chitty accompanied by a couple of card-playing cowboys.

 

8. Not just about singing, the Singers also gave the audience a few laughs with a bit of slapstick comedy.

 

9. Local pianist Judy Faris, who holds a NZ award for services to music, was especially acknowledged for her musical talent: ‘She can fill it, she can make it up, doesn’t matter what we ask her to do, she can do it… we are so privileged to have her’.

 

10. Before singing ‘For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow’ and presenting her with a big bouquet of flowers, the singers praised Christine Bygrave, with Tania Creek saying the Mangawhai Singers would not have even happened if it was not for her leadership.

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