Choirs from all over the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, the Baltic States, Central Europe and even the Middle East will compete at the 61st annual international choral festival in Cork, Ireland. But there will be only one choir from North America: the Bel Canto Choir of Prince George.
It's not the first time the youth choral group has travelled internationally to represent their city, their province or even their country. They have performed at Disneyland, at the notable Harrogate festival in England, Banff, Whistler, and their crowning achievement so far was singing at Carnegie Hall in New York.
They were last overseas two years ago at a choral festival in Prague. It was there that choir director Melanie Nicol scouted for the best singing function they could attend next. The other choir directors from around Europe pointed her towards Cork.
"In fact, they said it was the best choral festival experience they'd ever had, so I wanted to go that direction," said Nicol. "The last time we were in Europe, actually, it was an Irish choir that kind of befriended us. There is a lot of socializing between the different choirs that attend these festivals, and our singers really buddied up with the Irish singers we met in Prague, so it was nice to think of going to Ireland and seeing the sights and feeling the culture at a top-notch festival after having that bonding experience last time."
There was an audition process to gain entry into the Cork International Choral Festival. The Bel Canto group had to send in five different recordings for the jury's deliberations, and they were merely attempting to get in as a noncompetitive choir. The minimum number of singers for Cork's competitive side is 21, but Bel Canto is travelling with 18. Nicol said the value is in rubbing shoulders with some of the best vocal groups in choir-rich Europe and raising the kids' game by going in with people much older than themselves. Cork is an adult festival. Bel Canto's Ireland contingent is aged 13 to 24.
"We know we will definitely get three singing performances at least," Nicol said. "One is an appearance during the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition. We are singing as an exhibition choir, but it is still a learning experience for the group.
"Our second performance will be at City Hall in Cork. All the choirs taking part in the festival are scheduled for a City Hall appearance.
"The third one is a small concert at a church there, and the festival organizers made that arrangement. That is also part of their regular programming."
Nicol said she was waiting for confirmation on perhaps some additional singing opportunities there as well. They group departs Prince George on April 25 and returns on May 4 so they have some time outside of official festival performances to sing more.
To get the singers in the spirit of the emerald isle, and to fill the choir's purse a little, to reduce the cost on the families involved, a pair of fundraising concerts are coming up quickly. Both have a Celtic theme. They have also gotten the sponsorship support of M&M Meats, Sean Hogan Youth Services, Fractor Contracting and an Arts Fest BC grant.
The first event is April 11 at 6 p.m. at the Hart Community Centre. The $50 tickets (call 250-563-3542 to purchase) get you in for a dinner, dance, silent auction, a concert by Out Of Alba and a chance to win a pot o' gold.
The second event is the Bel Canto Choir's annual spring concert, this year entitled The Water Is Wide. It is on at the P.G. Playhouse on April 18 at 2 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. The $15 ticket (available at Studio 2880 and at the door while supplies last) gets you passage into the group's big vocal warm-up before departing.
"The kids have said this is one of their favourite concerts to prepare for because the music is just so upbeat or so sad, but always so singable," Nicol said. "It's music that really connects with vocalists and with audiences. We are really looking forward to showing Prince George."
During this past week's Prince George & District Music Festival the Bel Canto Choir reaffirmed their talents by winning an adjudicator's recommendation into the provincial choir competition. They don't have to travel anywhere for that distinction, sending in a recording to the provincial judges who may select it to forward on to the nationals. Whatever their placement at the provincial level, they will already be winging their way to Ireland to represent all of North America.
