By Dennis Tupman
A very “warm” and appreciative audience gathered on a hot spring night and responded enthusiastically to the Eclectica Community Choir benefit concert on May 11 in Martin Exeter Hall.
Including folk songs and spirituals and following a theme of “River Songs,” the choir sang such favourites as Song of the Mira, You Make Me Feel So Young, and a new Canadian composition, called I Dreamed of Rain, by British Columbia composer Larry Nickel.
Nickel also wrote the concluding number, Royal Hudson, after the now famous train that still runs from North Vancouver to Whistler.
Watching the Apples Grow, a rollicking arrangement featured the acrobatic accompaniments by pianist Donna Forward and fiddler Curtis Wolfe who also sings in the choir.
Two spirituals, He Ain’t Heavy, He’s my Brother, featuring a hauntingly beautiful harmonica solo by Anthony Lau, and Keep Your lamps Trimmed and Burning rounded out the choral program.
Soloists Barb Hooper and Lothar Haegele, from within the choir, respectively contributed spirited renditions of the Italian favourite, O Sole Mio, and the German operetta Dein Ist Mein Ganzes Herz.
Young local emerging concert organ artist Daven Mapson, on the mighty Exeter electronic organ, impressed the audience with the well-known Toccata in D Minor, by J.S. Bach. It’s often used for spooky effect in horror movies.
Daven’s mother, Ingrid Mapson, who in her own right, is establishing her diverse singing career in other centres, also rendered the beautiful aria, Ombra mai fu, by G.F Handel.
Choir director Jasmine Kreschuk also displayed her talent on piano with the impressively romantic Piano Sonata Opus 143 movement by Franz Schubert.
During the evening representatives from two local charities – 100 Mile District General Hospital Auxiliary and The Mill Site Lodge/Fischer Place Auxiliary – accepted all the gate receipts, which will be devoted to making hospital patients more comfortable.
This is an instance of where one choral community helps the larger community through the medium of music.
Because of family and work commitments, Kreschuk will have to stand down as main leader next year, but hopes to sing and take rehearsals as required on an occasional basis.
Stepping forward to take the major role of director will be the choir member and pianist, Marilyn Buyar, who comes to the position with a considerable background as a singer, choral director and teacher.
Also backing up the director when required next year will be Patricia Spencer and Donna Forward, two choir musicians, who have also played major directing and accompanying roles this past year.
The concert overall was intended to be light and cheerful to reflect the warm spring weather we were experiencing.
Eclectica Community Choir recommences its rehearsals and activity next September. Interested singers may contact Helen Lennox-Lau at 250-791-5303.
