Carols by the Sea [1]
Wednesday, December 9, 2009 - 16:54. Updated on Sunday, May 25, 2014 - 15:23.
The first ever "Carols by the Sea" has been declared a huge success by organisers and audience members alike, with over $4000 raised for the Red Cross and a truly enjoyable night of festive entertainment being enjoyed by all.
His Majesty King George Tupou V, along with HRH Princess Pilolevu, HRH Princess Mele Siu'ilikutapu, Lord Kalaniuvalu and Hon. Sinaitakala Fakafanua attended the family event at the beautiful sea-side setting of Pangai Lahi, where a multitude of Tongas top musicians came together to perform for an appreciative crowd.
The free concert was organised by volunteers and featured a cast of performers numbering into the hundreds, including; The Royal Maopa Choir, Angela Afeaki, St. Andrews Band and Choir, The Royal Corps Musicians, On The Spot, Japanese dancers, The Australia Quartet, Harmony Trio and special guest soloists John Paul Pooi, Salome Veetutu, Sylvia Liavaa-Tafuna and Reece Proudfoot. Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Kitione Mokofisi who handled the event with his usual panache.
The Royal Corps Musicians had the crowd bopping along with their exciting array of jazzy favourites. His Majesty appeared to particularly enjoy a rendition of The Acrobat by St. Andrews Band, with young Trombone player Lata Hafoka entertaining the audience with some on stage acrobatics.
Other notable performances came from the dance group On The Spot, who wowed the audience with a fusion of Polynesian and Contemporary dance, JICA who got the whole crowd participating in their Traditional Japanese Dance, and the Gospel group Harmony Trio with their stunning a capella rendition of Master, Redeemer. The evening came to an end with a spectacular rendition of Handels Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah, which involved all of the performers from the night returning to the stage with candles to add some extra special magic to the final number.
The organisers hope that the success of this years event will lead to Carols by the Sea becoming an annual event in the Tongan calendar. Organising Committee - Carols by the Sea, 07/12/09.