Kowhai Singers Illuminate Warkworth with Hopeful Concert

The Kowhai Singers will present their much-anticipated concert, Illuminare, on November 22, 2023, at the Warkworth Town Hall, starting at 19:30. This performance aims to provide audiences with a sense of light and hope through a carefully curated program that reflects on themes of hope, faith, and renewal.

The choral ensemble will perform a diverse selection of works that explore the transition from darkness to light. Among the highlights is The Road Home by Stephen Paulus, a poignant piece that conductor Ken Leech describes as a reminder that there is always a pathway back, regardless of how far one may wander. The concert will also feature the timeless classic You’ll Never Walk Alone, originally from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musical, Carousel.

In addition to these well-known pieces, the program includes Sure on This Shining Night by Morten Lauridsen, which conveys a message of comfort and wonder amidst solitude. Another significant work is Even When He Is Silent by Kim André Arnesen, an eight-part choral composition that affirms belief in love, light, and God, even during silent moments of doubt.

The concert will also feature This Little Light of Mine, arranged by Mark Hayes, Gaelic Blessing by John Rutter, and the Prayer of St Francis, arranged by Allen Pote. The event will culminate with Illuminare, a contemporary five-movement composition by Elaine Hagenberg. This piece, which incorporates sacred texts in Latin, Greek, and English, encapsulates a journey through beauty, darkness, and renewal, ultimately restoring hope and peace.

Accompanying the Kowhai Singers will be the esteemed local musician Dr John Wells on grand piano, along with an 11-piece chamber orchestra, enhancing the concert’s rich audio experience.

Tickets for Illuminare are priced at $25 when purchased in advance from www.kowhaisingers.org.nz or Briar Rose Flowers in Warkworth. Tickets at the door will be available for $30, cash only.

This concert promises to be an inspiring evening, offering both performers and attendees an opportunity to reflect on the enduring power of music to uplift the spirit.