The Tokyo based Male Voice choir Chor-Farmer will be performing in Tauranga on October 6 as part of their tour to New Zealand and Australia. 

This will be their 21st such tour which, traditionally, they undertake on a biennial basis. However, due to Covid restrictions this is the first since 2018.

They will be visiting Nelson, Featherston, and Tauranga before traveling to Lobethal and Cowra in Australia.

Under inspirational conductor Hiroshi Masumoto the choir, comprising 24 voices, has a wide repertoire of classical, folk and popular music.

In 2017 Mr Masumoto received the New Zealand Order of Merit for his long-term efforts to foster goodwill and cultural exchanges between Japan and New Zealand in music.

Their talented pianist Masako Yuyama who will also perform a piano solo will accompany the choir.

Chor-Farmer was formed in 1967 at the Tokyo University of Agriculture.

These Goodwill Tours are managed at their own expense, and they receive no financial support. In the cities and towns, they visit members are billeted with local families and concerts arranged for them are often in conjunction with local choirs.

They consider this arrangement very important in continuing to foster goodwill with the communities they visit.

The Tauranga concert will be at 3pm on Sunday, October 6, at Wesley Church in 13th Avenue.

Admission is $15 at the door with children under 12 free.