Gabriola Island Singers are raising their voices in song at Government House on Canada Day.
The choir received a special invitation from Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon to perform during a citizenship ceremony held at Government House on July 1.
“We had this unexpected e-mail inviting us…” said Gail Lund, choir director. “We’re all very excited. We are really proud to be going.”
The choir came to the lieutenant-governor’s attention during the Sing Me a Song competition, where it won two of the competitions with songs celebrating Canada’s 150th written by Lund. One of Lund’s songs, Celebrate Canada, is also being sung by the Canada 150 Choir, directed by Patricia Plumley, during Canada Day celebrations in Nanaimo at Maffeo Sutton Park.
Lund has been the director of the Gabriola Island Singers since 1983. The choir was founded in 1976 by Aileen Adam and Alfred Kristiansen later took over direction of the group.
“Patricia Plumley is a wonderful musician. I am really honoured she chose the song as one of her pieces,” said Lund.
Lund said she has been a musician all her life and there weren’t many outlets in 1983 so she joined the choir.
“They are a wonderful varied group of people. We all get along. The choir is fun,” said Lund. “It’s certainly a nice creative outlet for a lot of people.”
For more information, please visit www.nanaimosings.com/choirs/GabriolaSingers.html.
