With their golden glow from the Sun Peaks Con Brio Festival, the District 57 Tapestry Singers are now shining for their home audience.
The school-based choral ensemble has a concert coming up to show off the reasons why they earned the gold standard at the Kamloops music event. Choir director Carolyn Duerksen said the group has the ability to perform a number of different ways, which is why the upcoming concert has such an eclectic set-list.
"I typically don't choose a theme for a concert, so usually it encompasses all styles and all genres of music," Duerksen said. "It's an umbrella that allows me to choose a broad repertoire. That allows for the kids to really enjoy the rehearsal process, because there is a variety, and hopefully that translates into enjoyment for the audience as well. The feedback I get is they love the English and French and foreign languages and different styles and different moods."
The title of the concert is Here's To Song! and the songs on the list range from traditional to contemporary, from old favourites to some new gems. The audience will hear The Lion Sleeps Tonight, J'etends le Moulin, My Favorite Things, Chim Chim Cher-ee, Niska Banja, Red Dragonflies, No Time, and others.
The District 57 Tapestry Singers also have a history of interjecting other performance value into their shows. This concert will feature special guest musicians Curtis Abriel, Jos Delgado-Guevara, Tony Tabora, Barb Parker and Paul Mulligan, in addition to usual accompanist Maureen Nielsen.
That's not all.
"Several selections feature choreography by local dancer and choreographer, Kristen Helfrich," said Duerksen. "Choirs move now a lot more than they did when I was in high school. Sometimes the song begs to be sung standing still, and sometimes it begs to have the choir move a little, and sometimes it begs for full choreography. It is such an honour to have someone with the reputation of Kristen Helfrich work with our kids on that."
She tipped her hat deeply to the guest musicians as well, for more than just lending their skills to the event. Their presence, said Duerksen, was a form of mentorship.
"We feel really fortunate to have these resources agree to work with us," said Duerksen. "We are so lucky to have Maureen be there consistently for the kids, and now we have all these great musicians coming in as professionals who become so important to the kids to give them that experience. The kids look up to them, and when we have a song that is meant to be played with conga, then have a conga player come in to make the choir's presentation more authentic, that shows the kids that what they are doing is valued and valid and worthy of the help these musicians are providing. That's a powerful message they are receiving, and they get it through music."
Here's To Song! happens June 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the spacious nave of St. Michael's Anglican Church downtown. Tickets are $15 each (five and under are free) with a reception to follow the single performance. It is always a sellout affair, so tickets are available in advance from Studio 2880 while supplies last.
