The choral group Octavius will present a concert of songs on Sunday 7 September, 2.30pm at Waiapu Cathedral, Napier.

Lead by the Cathedral’s musician director Anthony Tattersall this concert will have their usual superb variety of songs and will be looking forward to spring and summer – “imagine a musical picnic under the stars!”

The programme is a varied selection of songs, many echoing the pleasures of starlight, moonlight, spring and new life – and yes – picnics!

Octavius excels at performing jazz favourites so ‘Mr Sandman’, ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’ and ‘A Nightingale Sang…’ are among the songs which will evoke the magic of sunset and the night sky, along with the inspired imagining of golden moonlight in Eric Whittaker’s ‘Lux Aurumque’.

The beauty of the natural world is celebrated in an international selection: ‘Earth Song’ by American Frank Ticheli, traditional Irish songs ‘The Lark in the Clear Air’ and ‘Londonderry Air’ .

Two songs are by Hawke’s Bay composer Stephen Lange  – ‘Coda’ and a new song ‘Poipoia te Kakano’ (nurture the seed and it will grow) which represents the cyclic energy of  regeneration and resilience in nature. Octavius has sole performing rights for this commissioned work during 2025.

To finish the concert with a bit of fun and frivolity, the choir invites you to enjoy ‘The Teddy Bears Picnic’, but ‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree’ and make sure you ‘Ain’t Misbehaving!’  

Adults $25, seniors and students $20

www.facebook.com/octaviusnzchoir

ACCESS: There are a few disability parks outside the cathedral, but also a drop off zone outside the main doors for passengers before you park elsewhere.