Singers and choirs from around the region are invited to fill the plaza outside Vancouver Art Gallery for “The Big Sing” next spring.
The gathering, a highlight of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival (vcbf.ca), will involve four rehearsals, including one in Surrey.
The festival event aims to “bring Metro Vancouver together in harmony to share in the joy of singing as part of a large group,” according to a post at eventbrite.ca.
“We’re inviting choirs and individuals to join our new free choral event, The Big Sing Metro Vancouver, Saturday, April 27, 2019 to help us fill Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énk Square with song.”
The Kathryn Nicholson-conducted mass choir will sing four songs, including “Cherry Blossoms For You & Me,” a new song written by Tom Landa and Robin Layne, “O Siem” by Susan Aglukark, “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles and “Now I Walk in Beauty,” a Navajo chant.
Last April, 350 voices from 30 registered choirs gathered at Vancouver’s Christ Church Cathedral to sing “Cherry Blossoms For You & Me.” A video of the gathering is posted to the festival’s Youtube channel.
New this year, choreographer Kelly McInnes has created “some fun easy movements for you to learn and really feel” the song, according to the eventbrite post.
Rehearsals to run through songs and dance moves will take place at four locations next April, including Surrey City Hall atrium on Wednesday, April 24, starting at 6:30 p.m. Rehearsals will also be held in Coquitlam (April 7), Roundhouse Community Centre in Vancouver (April 14) and The Pipe Shop at the Shipyards in North Van (April 16).
The Big Sing Metro Vancouver, co-presented by the Canadian Music Centre, is open to everyone regardless of one’s musical background or skill level, according to an event advisory.
“This new project is a means of artistic expression for individuals with a desire and enthusiasm to sing which meets the festival mandate to promote active community engagement through arts and culture.”
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