An unforgettable afternoon of harmony, heart, and high notes awaits as the Bay of Plenty Senior Music Festival returns on Saturday, October 4, at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Tauranga.

Helena van der Merwe from Ōmokoroa Country Estate said the festival, now in its third year, had grown into a musical highlight for the Bay of Plenty’s retirement villages.

“The festival was born from the success of performances by the Ōmokoroa Country Estate when I realised the real value of choral music for the elderly,” van der Merwe said.

“We formed a small committee and did our first festival for the many retirement villages in Tauranga, which was an enormous success.”

Fred Hartley, Vic Sterling, and Dennis Moller will be back to perform again this year at the Bay of Plenty Senior Music Festival on October 4, 2025. Photo / Supplied

This year, more than 150 choristers from nine groups will participate in a smorgasbord of music with the festival now part of Tauranga City Council’s Young at Heart Festival.

“It became too big for me to handle, and the council so kindly stepped in,” van der Merwe said.

Running from October 1-8, the Young at Heart Festival celebrates Tauranga’s older community and surrounds the International Day of Older Persons on October 1.

Van der Merwe said the average age of the choir members is 84.

“They sing with such passion and make a difference in the lives of many people.”

Beyond entertainment, the senior music festival is also a force for good – all ticket proceeds will go to Waipuna Hospice.

“So, we, in the twilight years of our lives, can and are making a difference,” said van der Merwe.

Held from 2pm-5pm, the festival promises a rich smorgasbord of music – from timeless classics to Broadway favourites.

Barbershop

This year also marks the inclusion of two barbershop groups, alongside returning fan favourites like Fred Hartley, Vic Sterling, and Dennis Moller, who delighted last year’s crowd and will be back to perform songs such as ‘Yesterday’ by Charles Aznavour and ‘I’m Getting Married in the Morning’ from 1965 musical ‘My Fair Lady’.

“It always brings the house down,” van der Merwe said of the latter song.

“The audience normally joins in when they know the songs, so it becomes an afternoon of entertainment and camaraderie that surprises many.”

Ticket proceeds for the Bay of Plenty Senior Music Festival will go towards Waipuna Hospice. Photo / Supplied

She noted the rise and popularity of mass choirs.

“The movie ‘Tina’ supported the growth in choral singing in New Zealand, and with the NZ youth choir winning big on the international stage, people are realising the value of choral singing more than before.”

Van der Merwe believed choral singing offers more than just musical joy.

“For the 160-plus elderly participants, singing becomes a lifeline – a journey, an escape from the bars of pain and loneliness, it builds communities and seals friendships, but most of all, it improves the lives of the participants.

Age no deterrent

“The average age of the choristers is 84, but that is no deterrent to enjoying the music that varies from ‘The Sound of Music’ medley, ‘Skye Boat’ song, ‘Yellow Bird, I will follow Him’ and ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’.

“We end the afternoon with a mass choir, and it becomes more and more popular. This year, we will be singing the popular ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ and ‘Any Dream Will Do’.”

Bay of Plenty Senior Music Festival is 2pm-5pm, Saturday, October 4. Tickets are $15 each at youngatheart.co.nz or Humanitix. There will be no door sales.