Newfoundland native and Celtic musician Andrew Mercer is leading the Okanagan Women’s Celtic Choir in Vernon once again this year.
The choir is back for its second year after a great first year, which saw the singers perform in front of a nearly sold-out crowd at the Vernon Performing Arts Centre, said Mercer.
“This is a fun choir and everyone involved last year really enjoyed it,” he said. “There is no requirement to read music or to have sung in a choir before… You just have to want to have fun and enjoy singing.”
Mercer has been playing and performing Celtic music since he was five years old and is truly passionate about the music and keeping such a vibrant part of Canadian culture alive.
Apart from being the lead singer and guitarist with modern Celtic band Cod Gone Wild, Mercer says he is always seeking new ways of spreading the Celtic spirit through song.
“The choir will focus on fun, unique vocal arrangements and modernizing Celtic material to bring it into 2012,” he said. “The main genre, of course, will be Celtic, however, there will be undertones of many genres to create an edgy modern Celtic vibe.”
The choir will also have the opportunity to perform with Cod Gone Wild at a minimum of two concerts, including the band’s annual St. Patrick’s Day show at the Performing Arts Centre March 16.
“There will be a choral recording project and the choir will be spending the year preparing for a possible exchange to Vancouver Island in 2014,” said Mercer.
Those interested in joining the choir can contact Mercer at andrew@codgonewild.com or phone 250-469-2368 to reserve a spot as space is limited.
Choir rehearsals will be held Wednesday evenings beginning at 7 p.m., Oct. 3 in the music room at Ellison Elementary School, located at 2400 Fulton Rd., Vernon.
