Choral Society to lead Christmas carol choir

The choir and band in rehearsal at St Andrew’s Church, under the baton of Gisborne Choral Society musical director Gavin Maclean. Picture supplied

A concert of the traditional nine lessons and carols for Christmas will feature a galaxy of local readers, a 14-piece band and a 25-voice choir, at St Andrew’s Church on Sunday evening.

The ancient telling of the Christmas story will be recounted by, among others, Mayor Rehette Stoltz and deputy mayor Josh Wharehinga.

They will be joined by Nora Raines, one of the youngest choristers. Another young chorister, Aston Lawton, will sing the iconic solo opening verse of Once In Royal David’s City.

The late Norman Maclean had agreed “with great pleasure” to do a reading, said St Andrew’s director of music Catherine Macdonald. He had requested “something from Isaiah”, and his brother, Gisborne Choral Society musical director Gavin Maclean, will read it in his stead. His nephew Monty Copeland, fresh from winning the 2023 Gisborne Intermediate Year 8 boys’ speech final, will also do a reading.

Other readers will be the Rev Bronwen Marchant from Holy Trinity Church, Sisters Meg Hills and Cynthia Kearney from St Mary’s Star of the Sea, the Rev Dr Clive Yates from St Andrew’s and two Gisborne Presbyterian parishioners Ruth McLennan and Bob Bos.

The 14-piece band of strings and brass, and including timpani, will play arrangements of the carols by Dr Sean Scanlen, who will be at the organ for the concert.

The choir, which includes members of the Gisborne Choral Society, will lead the singing of familiar carols such as O Little Town of Bethlehem, Hark the Herald Angels Sing and Joy to the World.

Also on the programme is the first movement of the  Bach cantata Nun komm der Heiden Heiland BWV 61, which the choir will sing accompanied by Dr Scanlen on the organ.

The concert is part of the long-established St Andrew’s Concert Series. It starts at 7pm. Entry is free, with an optional koha, which goes to the performers.

Instead of the usual complimentary tea and coffee on arrival, the concert will be followed by a supper served in St Andrew’s Community Centre next door to the church.

Nine lessons and carols, St Andrew’s Church, Cobden Street, Sunday December 17, 7pm.