'Summer Christmas’ (dur. 6:20) with music and lyrics composed by Wayne Senior, speaks in evocative settings of things relevant to New Zealand referencing beach scenes, the warmth of the summer sun, native birds, the mighty Kauri and ‘our very own Christmas tree’ the iconic Pohutukawa, whilst drawing comparisons with winter Christmas in ‘cooler climes’ (e.g. 'no chestnuts roasting on an open fire’ and a new setting of ‘O Magnum Mysterium’) closing with a choral representation of church bells.
My original text is a combination of English, Te reo Māori and Latin, incorporating translations by Honi Rawhiti (George Lusty). The setting of ‘O Magnum Mysterium’ is in Latin with alternating lines in English and Te Reo Māori.
Scored for choir and piano, it is envisioned that an enhanced accompaniment will be added for possible future performances with orchestral resources if and when required.
Also that it will be re-scored in other versions for young students' choir and a less advanced version for community choir.