Joy to the World, A Kiwi Christmas – November 29 – 30 2024

In Nelson Civic Choir’s third annual ‘Joy To The World’ Christmas choral celebration
the Choir was joined once again by organist David Burchell who pulled out all the stops to lift the Cathedral roof and sweep us along as we all sang some of the big holiday favourites such as O Come All Ye Faithful, The First Nowell, Unto Us Is Born A Son, and Hark! The Herald-Angels Sing.

The choir also sang two beautifully atmospheric settings of Silent Night and Son Of Maria by the Welsh composer Sir Karl Jenkins.

More traditional Christmas music in the programme came in the form of Away In A Manger and In The Bleak Midwinter sung in duet form by our guest soloists Rosie McAllister and Allison Cormack. Our soloists also performed I Wonder As I Wander arranged by John Rutter, as well as the ever popular O Holy Night by Adolphe Adam.

We added a Kiwi element to this year’s seasonal offerings with music by five New Zealand composers.  Look Towards Christmas showcased the music of both Jillian Bray and Colin Gibson, and with Summer’s A Time To Discover Jackie Wise reminded us of the many things that New Zealand offers us at this time of year besides the celebration of the birth of the baby Jesus.

No Christmas choral programme would be complete without the beautiful Not On A Snowy Night by Willow Macky, performed in a simple arrangement with a 2-part refrain on the words Te Harinui.

Music by David Hamilton rounded out our Kiwi Christmas programme with the world premiere of his A New Carol For Christmas Day and ending with his contemporary setting of Joy To The World as we celebrated the uniqueness of the Christmas holiday season in New Zealand.

JoytotheWorld Nov 2024 Programme