I Thought I was Giving, but I Received So Much More!

Last Sunday I was at the North shore Male Choir’s fundraising concert for Harbour Hospice. We had bought tickets because Hospice has done so much for our family. I wanted to give but at the end of the concert I realised that I had received so much more back.

The concert’s theme was ‘Onward and Upward’ with a mix of modern and more traditional pieces that captured the vagaries, challenges and successes of life. Stuart Weightman was the guest conductor.

The concert was fantastic from the start with the choir using subtle tones, harmonies and power to convey the essence of each piece. I was surprised by my emotional response and of those around me when the choir sang ‘You Raise Me Up.’ It had been introduced by a young choir member who said that he was singing it for his grandfather. At the end, I did not mind that I was dabbing my eyes because so many around me were doing the same thing.

Towards the end, the choir sang ‘Whakāria Mai.’ It was beautiful. Then Stuart the conductor invited the audience to stand and join the choir in the chorus. It was stumming. I felt an unexpected connection to the rest of the audience and the sound was amazing.

Thank you North Shore Male Choir for your fundraising, the experience and the unexpected opportunity to be part of something wonderful. I will be there for your next concert.

John M, Mt Eden