Welcome the World: A Choral Gala

Four esteemed choirs, 120 voices, one magnificent concert on Tuesday, February 9, 2010, at St. Andrew's-Wesley Church,
1022 Nelson St (at Burrard), Vancouver BC. Tickets $35 (service charges applicable) now available at Ticketmaster 604.280.3311.

Dedication, individual training, long hours of practice, teamwork, discipline, and leadership: While all of those qualities build Olympic medalists, they also build choral champions.
Four such Vancouver ensembles, Chor Leoni Men’s Choir, Elektra Women’s Choir, musica intima vocal ensemble, and Vancouver Chamber Choir, are preparing to welcome all nations and peoples this coming February. Presented with Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad, Welcome the World: A Choral Gala is planned as a choral showcase and a linguist’s delight.As Jon Washburn, conductor of the Vancouver Chamber Choir explains, the “team” part of choral singing comes naturally. “Although we don’t have official Olympic status (yet), I’ve always considered choral singing to be the ultimate international team sport! This concert will emphasize that by presenting choral music in over twenty languages, reflecting the world-wide reach of both singing and sport.”

Vancouver has long been recognised as a choral hotbed, producing award-winning ensembles that have amassed accolades and a wealth of competition awards at the national and international levels. While each of the choirs singing in Welcome the World: A Choral Gala have won many such awards, it isn’t often that they get to share the same stage, a fact that Shane Raman, a tenor in musica intima, appreciates. “The choral community doesn’t get a chance to collaborate too often,” he says, “so Welcome the World is an opportunity to show our appreciation for each other and to showcase the new things we’re doing on our own.”

Diane Loomer, director of Chor Leoni Men’s Choir, is excited about this opportunity to sing for friends old and new. “We are thrilled to present this aspect of Vancouver’s vibrant choral scene to our faithful fans who have supported us locally over the years,” she says, “and to the host of international visitors who will throng our streets during the excitement of the 2010 Winter Olympics.”

“It all comes down to music on a personal level,” adds Morna Edmundson, director of Elektra Women’s Choir. “Choral singing mirrors the breadth of human life. Through the voices of these four choirs we’re going to take you on a choral experience that includes deeply moving moments right through to a sense of playfulness and celebration. It’s a universal journey, so get your tickets now and be part of the adventure!”

Four esteemed choirs, 120 voices, one magnificent concert: Welcome the World: A Choral Gala tickets are available now from Ticketmaster or your favourite lion!

Welcome the World: A Choral Gala
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
St. Andrew's-Wesley Church
1022 Nelson St (at Burrard), Vancouver BC
Tickets $35 (service charges applicable)
Ticketmaster 604.280.3311