Acclaimed Signature Choir joins the MSO for
Mana Moana – a fusion of symphony and songs of the Pacific
Special guest host Tofiga Fepulea’i
Saturday 31 January, 7pm Sidney Myer Music Bowl
Tickets on sale 10am Thursday 16 October
Visit mso.com.au
“A joyous number prompted us to our feet; clapping, cheering, swaying our arms like sea waves with phone torches on, as if hundreds of fireflies had joined our party.” NZ Herald
“What a night!!!” 5-stars Sydney Arts Guide
“The music was awesome. Whoops, cheers, dancing, clapping, singing, laughter and delight were the other prominent sounds of the evening. Pure joy.” Eyes on Wellington
One of New Zealand’s leading vocal ensembles, the Signature Choir will join the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Carlo Antonioli, at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Saturday 31 January 2026 for an uplifting and joyful musical celebration of Pacific language and culture.
The Signature Choir unites more than 90 voices rich with harmonies and powerful storytelling, performing gospel, classical, modern and traditional Pasifika music in a sound that is fresh, moving, and unmistakably Pacific.
At the heart of their journey is Mana Moana — a world-first Pacific, choral and orchestral production that explores the ocean as a symbol of connection, heritage and strength. Since its 2022 debut with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Mana Moana has sold out arenas, earned standing ovations, and become a powerful celebration of unity and cultural pride.
“Mana Moana showcases the richness of Pasifika music,” says internationally renowned composer and conductor Fepulea‘i Helen Tupai, one of the driving forces behind Mana Moana. “This special meeting of Pasifika voices and orchestral excellence opens the door to something truly magical — an experience that moves the heart and uplifts your soul.”
Audiences can expect a vibrant mix of traditional and contemporary works, from the Samoan classic Manu o le Vaveao to Nepituno—composed by Queen Salote Tupou III to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 Royal Tour of Tonga, to music from the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau and Tonga, culminating in an exhilarating medley of iconic Fijian songs. The evening will be hosted by the renowned NZ actor and comedian Tofiga Fepulea’i.
Signature Choir began as a space for Pasifika voices to find freedom and belonging through music. It has since grown into an award-winning ensemble that has moved audiences across Oceania and beyond. In 2024, the Signature Choir was named Best Gospel Artist at the Pacific Music Awards.
“Pasifika music has always been about sharing our stories, our voices, and the spirit we carry when we sing. The orchestra gives those songs new life, adding richness and power to what we already hold dear.” Tupai continues. “Seeing the joy and pride beaming out as people heard their songs come to life in such a groundbreaking way was life changing.”
The Mana Moana 2025 tour started with a sold-out performance at Auckland’s Spark Arena, before making history as the first Pacific choir to headline at the Sydney Opera House, where they delivered two unforgettable sold-out shows alongside the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (June 2025). The season came full circle with a powerful Homecoming in Wellington, where two more sold-out concerts cemented Mana Moana as a landmark moment for Pacific music on the world stage and a powerful showcase of Pacific joy and harmony.
Event details: Signature Choir x MSO
Date: Saturday 31 January, 7pm – gates open at 5pm
Venue: Sidney Myer Music Bowl
Tickets: On sale from 10am Thursday 16 October
Price: $59 – $75, 15% off for Groups 10+
Visit: mso.com.au