The Okanagan Celtic Choir is about to take audiences to Newfoundland and around the world through song.
Performing its year-end show Thursday, the four-part SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) choir was founded by Cod Gone Wild frontman Andrew Mercer in 2011, and has grown to more than 50 members.
Advertised as a fun, non-auditioned choir, that doesn’t stop Mercer from pushing the envelope on song selection, challenging the members with difficult pieces to sing.
“We have a wide variety of singers and experience in the choir, so I always try and balance the songs, in terms of difficulty, being sure to challenge everyone in the group, including myself,” he said.
“When a choir works and sings together well, it is easier to take on harder pieces. Some of the pieces that I chose this year were at the level of a university chamber choir and the members take a lot of pride in learning and mastering those difficult pieces. We’re excited for everyone to hear the results.”
Mercer will also perform a solo set of original and traditional music to open the show.
Originally from Newfoundland, Mercer says it’s important for him to feature songs from his home province.
“There is always a certain home-sickness when it comes to Newfoundland for me. So, whether it be performing these songs with the band or having the choir perform the music that I grew up listening to, it takes me back every time,” he said.
The audience can expect to hear traditional Newfoundland classics such as I’s the B’y, Jack was Every Inch a Sailor, The Kelligrew’s Soirée, and Lukey’s Boat, as well as other Irish and Celtic favourites, such as Danny Boy, Mairi’s Wedding and Banks of Loch Lomond.
The choir will also mix in some non-traditional Celtic arrangements of contemporary songs such as Simon and Garfunkel’s Scarborough Fair and Cat Stevens’ Morning Has Broken.
The Okanagan Celtic Choir’s year-end show take place at Trinity United Church (3300 Alexis Park Dr.) Thursday, May 26 at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the church office (open Tuesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or at the door. You can also reserve tickets by emailing andrew@codgonewild.com.
