Hawke’s Bay musicians join forces to celebrate Christmas!

Four of Napier’s premier music groups will get together to present a Gala Christmas concert at 5pm on Saturday 20 December in the Waiapu Cathedral, Napier.  Octavius Chamber Choir will be joined by the Hawks Brass Quintet, the Waiapu Cathedral Choir and the Cathedral Strings.

Octavius is a 12-voice choir which has gained a loyal following since it was established in 2017 and presents several concerts each year, in the Hawke’s Bay. In this concert Octavius’ programme will include a Merry Christmas medley and some favourite festive fare: “ I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus”, “Follow that Star,” and “Do You Hear What I Hear?”   

Hawks Brass Quintet is a group of highly-skilled horn-players who are members of many local bands.  They joined the Cathedral Choir for a Christmas concert in 2024 and for the annual “Swing and a Prayer” service in the Art Deco Festival this year.   The Quintet will present a variety of Christmas melodies including “Sleigh Ride”, selections from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” and a contemporary “Christmas Jazz Suite”. They will accompany Octavius in a Latino version of “Jingle Bells” and, with the Strings, provide the perfect accompaniment when the audience is invited to sing some well-known carols.

The Waiapu Cathedral Choir is known for their superb singing in services and concerts throughout the year.  They will present two of English composer John Rutter’s best-loved Christmas songs: the “Shepherd’s Pipe Carol” and “Candlelight Carol.” Octavius will add another of Rutter’s favourites: “Twelve Days of Christmas”.  

The Cathedral Strings regularly support the Cathedral Choir in special services and concerts.   They will take centre stage to perform ”A Christmas Medley” and “It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas” and accompany both choirs in several items, and the audience in the sing-along carols. 

The concert is free to enter … however you are welcome to gift a koha as you leave, and you can decide what you think the concert was worth!! 

 All are welcome to enjoy this celebration of Christmas.