Celebration Singers Choir proudly announces its 20th year of bringing joyous song to the Comox Valley. On Sunday, June 8th, the choir will perform their spring concert at the Sid Williams Theatre, sharing the stage with the Vanier Secondary School Choristers for several selections.
The vivacious Jenn Forsland will conduct the choir with her usual flair for pulling out the very best of the choir. Pianist, Sean Mooney, will accompany the choir demonstrating his amazing ability to transform the sound of the piano into a multitude of instruments.
The choir is pulling out all stops to sooth, amuse and rock the senses of the audience with uplifting spirituals, humorous madrigals, contemporary Canadiana and evocative world music. Audience members are bound to be inspired to tap toes, snap fingers, or hum along to several selections while others will tug at the heart or bring a sigh to the lips.
The choir has come a long way in 20 years. Originally it found its roots in the Universal Gospel Choir. Two members of that choir moved to the Comox Valley and missing the pleasure of singing, they decided to bring the Universal Gospel Choir to Comox for a performance in June of 1993. Joannie Chestnut urged the audience to start a similar choir in our community and so it began. Being small in size, only eight, they met in one another’s living rooms, then as they increased in numbers they met in church basements, and eventually school music rooms. Over the years they grew in size until today the choir numbers around 80. The choir has been fortunate to have a number of superb directors over the years: Liam Bishop, Jen Riley, Alan Webster, Robert Dueck, and now our own Jenn Forsland. Along with the years, and some other subtle signs of aging, the choir has acquired the skills and ability of a trained and competent community choir.
Over the years many members, hailing from Campbell River to Denman Island, have joined the choir for periods of time and in this 20th year the choir is calling all former celebration singers to join in the finale of the event. The choir will truly raise the rafters and share in the community spirit of song that is so thrilling. Past members are asked to visit the Celebration Singers website (www.celebrationsingers.ca) for details. Please register with your email under the Alumni tab to receive information regarding upcoming practice dates in May and for information regarding the musical selections.
Tickets for the concert on June 8th, 7:30 pm at the Sid Williams Theatre are $14 for adults, $10 for youth and are available at the Sid box office or on-line at www.sidwilliamstheatre.com.
