It might not have been the Tabernacle Choir but frankly, who cares. This year’s Carolfest was a great celebration of youth and music.
To tell the truth, there were a few sounds that were a little off-key. But again, who cares. Everyone in the large group of musical artists were giving their best and the end result was a great demonstration of what a little practice and a lot of determination can bring to life.
The choral music was a great way to really kick off the holiday season. We heard from the little ones out of the elementary schools and the bigger ones from high school. We heard from the cute ones either solo or in small groups helping us sing those tunes we’ve been singing since we were that age.
We also heard from some of those musicians who’ve been practicing in the basement and garage. We may have been holding our ears then but during the concert we strained to hear our favorite players performing their parts so perfectly.
Singing along to those old favourites lightened our hearts and made the evening one which we will remember.
Emcee Jaksun Grice and conductor Jordan Daviel worked magic in presenting a light-hearted, memorable event. The various acts seemed to flow so easily as they went one to another. The gymnasium at Smithers Secondary was packed with expectant family members and excited singers.
The high school choir was fabulously attired in what we usually expect to see at the prom. Beautiful dresses and gorgeous young faces. It must be admitted that some of those pubescent male voices could use some more voice training but that is all part of the show.
Daviel said that this was the second time that he was conducting the show and that he was looking forward to many more. He started off teaching in Dawson Creek before moving to Smithers.
“These are tough tickets to get. We have to ration them carefully in an effort to be fair,” he said.
“This is my second Carolfest. Last year, I had the pleasure of doing it with Mike Doogan-Smith, who has been doing it for many years and I am continuing the tradition,” he said.
In Dawson Creek he was building a music program from scratch and it was about education and what music could do for kids.
“This community is already there,” he explained. “There are a lot of kids who are taking part in music programs outside the school system. Those students are often the standouts in the classroom and it’s so great for me to then be able to rely on them as leaders who already have so much knowledge and ability.”
Daviel said that his instrument is the cello and that he took part in a lot of musical activities at school. He was also part of a very serious garage band that hoped to make it big. It didn’t and he went on to study music at university and made a life of it.
“I enjoy teaching and helping young people,” he said.
With dedicated leaders like Daviel, we can only be thankful and enjoy the fruits of their efforts such as Carolfest.
