Leaning on the strength that music and sport has in bringing together a community is part of the inspiration behind the theme song of the Penticton 2016 BC Winter Games.
Do You Believe will be performed at the Opening Ceremony of the Games on Feb. 25 by song composers Candie Schmidt and her husband Rene Schmidt. They will be backed by a choir of 50 people, including students from Queen’s Park Elementary School and singers from the Kettle Valley Choir.
“Music and sport have that in common, bringing together community and that is what we want at the BC Winter Games,” said Candie. “The song is about overcoming adversity and dedicating your life to something. That translates to sports like standing at the top of that mountain or whatever it is and taking that leap to believe in yourself after months or years of training for that one moment.”’
Do You Believe was originally written to be entered into a song contest for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. Candie said the principles heard in the lyrics became a part of her own ideology after she overcame a rare form of cancer 16 years ago, giving her a second shot at life.
“I hope the song inspires people to do the things in life they want to by following their heart, chasing after your dreams and most of all believe,” said Candie.
The husband and wife team are also music teachers that previously worked with students from the Queen’s Park Choir when they performed on stage with The Tenors. That was during a tour stop in 2015 at the South Okanagan Events Centre. The choir performed with the group in front of a crowd of about 2,500.
The opening ceremony starts at 7 p.m. on Feb. 25 with doors opening at 6 p.m. Global BC sports reporter Shanel Pratap will MC the event. The Beamer Wigley Band will warm up the crowd at 6:30 p.m. Also performing are Okanagan Dance Studio and Balance School of Arts.
There is a limited supply of tickets left that will be released on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. Tickets are free and can be picked up at the Valley First Box Office at the SOEC. Seating is unassigned and those attending should be prepared for standing room only.
Award-winning hip hop artist Kasp will MC the Closing Ceremony on Feb. 28 at 1:30 p.m. He will be joined by an incredible lineup of artists including Cosmic Brew, Black Widow Rope Spinners, Nikita Afonso and Rylan Wheeler. This event is also free, no ticket required.
The Penticton 2016 BC Winter Games will prove to be a memorable event for B.C.’s best developing athletes, coaches, and officials from Feb. 25 to 28.
Competition will take place over four days in 17 sports. This will be the fourth time Penticton has hosted the BC Games. The city was the host of the inaugural BC Summer Games in 1978, the 1990 BC Winter Games and the 1995 BC Summer Games.
For more information visit www.bcgames.org.
