Six members of the Eclectica Community Choir of 100 Mile House travelled to Prince George to sing in the Fourth Movement (Ode to Joy) of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the Prince George Symphony Orchestra and conductor Kevin Zakresky on Nov. 23.
The Eclectica singers included Marilyn Buyar, Patricia Spencer, Karin Graham, Barbara Hooper, Mary Ann Robertson and Christiane Nauen – the group’s German-speaking member who helped them learn the German lyrics.
The other members of the mass choir included: the Prince George Cantata Singers (director Damian Dorschner); four members of the Smithers Festival Choir (director Sharon Carrington); and two young singers from Borealis – another Prince George ensemble.
The mass choir was composed of 72 members and “what a sound,” says Hooper who is the Eclectica Community Choir’s spokesperson.
At one point, Buyar, who was singing directly in front of the men (tenors and basses), noticed her music was vibrating during a particularly intense portion of the piece, she adds.
“During the performance, the audience exploded into spontaneous applause after the choir had just about taken their socks off. The conductor had to indicate they should stop applauding as we were right in the middle of the piece.
“At the end, the audience members immediately jumped to their feet shouting ‘Bravo’! It was a great feeling.”
Hooper notes Zakresky was one of the adjudicators in last year’s Festival of the Arts at Martin Exeter Hall in 100 Mile House.
“He was amazing with everyone he adjudicated, but he had a particularly effective way with the young performers. He used humour mixed with a wealth of experience to offer wonderful advice.
“After spending many enjoyable days with the 100 Mile Festival of the Arts team and adjudicating the Eclectica Community Choir, he invited members of our choir to join him in Prince George for Beethoven’s 9th.”
It was a wonderful experience preparing for the performance, Hooper says, adding choir members joined Buyar once a week for two-hour rehearsals.
The six of them travelled to Prince George on Nov. 21 for a rehearsal that night, another on Nov. 22 and in the morning on Nov. 23 prior to the performance.
“We also participated in a flash mob, which was a spontaneous gathering of musicians, including a pianist and violinist, and a smaller number of singers [around 30], in the Pine Centre Mall and performed selections from “Ode to Joy” on the Friday afternoon. That was great fun.
“It was recorded by the Prince George media and appeared on TV that evening. During the flash mob, the [musicians] set up and started playing while the singers nonchalantly wandered over as if they are just shoppers and join in until there is a large group singing their hearts out.”
