The chorus, with director Richard Harker at left, performing at West City Mall in Henderson.


For most of us, Christmas carols – second only to nursery rhymes, perhaps – are our earliest memories of singing. They conjure up happy memories of childhood: of the jollity of Jingle Bells and Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer; of the innocent sweetness of Silent Night and Away in a Manger; or the full-throated celebration of O, Come, All Ye Faithful. Carols are among our first experiences of group singing.

Perhaps that’s why the annual series of “sing-outs” (at which the City of Sails Barbershop Chorus presents a selection of Christmas carols in public places throughout the Auckland region) is a favourite among members. Shopping malls are a regular venue but this year has seen the choir in action at Sky City, MOTAT and as part of the warm-up entertainment at the Santa Parade. A first was a show at Mitre 10 Mega in Westgate, at the invitation of a member who works there.

Barbershoppers, when asked for their feelings about the Christmas events, speak enthusiastically of the pleasure they get from them.

“We spend a lot of time rehearsing and polishing our repertoire,” says one. “Honestly it can be hard work and tedious, but I have found that at some point in the middle of yet another sing-out, the Christmas spirit hits, and it makes all the hard work worth it. It is a special thing that we can do for our community, and is truly rewarding.”

The faces of enchanted children bring a special joy, but it’s also striking to see shoppers, frazzled by the demands of Christmas preparations, visibly relax as they stop and stare and – as commonly happens – sing along. The thought that we might provide an oasis of joy in a desert of stress gladdens the heart.

A particularly special event for us was the annual trip to Auckland City Hospital, where the chorus was one of five ensembles spreading a bit of Christmas cheer through the wards. The patients sometimes leave their beds to watch us from their doorways, but we know that our singing in the corridors is reaching the rest and hope it brings them some joy at a challenging time of year. The hard-working staff, who reach for their phone cameras to capture us on video, plainly enjoy the show!

Many of us have a fond memory of a moving moment last year, when the family of a patient close to death asked if we would sing to her. Only a handful of us could fit into her small room, and we sang her one of our quietest and most ethereal numbers. There was no visible sign that she could hear us, but we all liked to think that our music eased her on her way. It was an experience none of us will forget.

So keep an eye out for the City of Sails Barbershop Chorus at your local mall this Christmas season – and if you fancy joining in the seasonal fun next year, be sure to get in touch.