O CANADA OUR HOME - Songs and Stories of Canada

Bon Voyage Concerts
O CANADA OUR HOME - Songs & Stories of Canada
45^th Anniversary - Cross-Canada Tour
With the British Columbia Boys Choir

and the Abbotsford Virtuosi

Friday, June 20, 7:30 p.m., St. John’s Shaughnessy Church, 1490 Nanton Avenue, Vancouver
(Tickets: $25, Students & Children $14, available by calling 1-888-909-8282 and at the door)
Saturday, June 12, 7 p.m., South Abbotsford Church, 32424 Huntingdon Road, Abbotsford
(Tickets: $20, at House of James, King’s Music, and at the door)
Sunday, June 22, 3 p.m. at the Port Theatre, 125 Front Street, Nanaimo
(Tickets: $25, Students & Children $14, at 250-754-8550 and www.porttheatre.com )

 
Presenting “Bon Voyage Concerts” - a traditional send-off that carries as much excitement in 2014 as it did in 1969 when the British Columbia Boys Choir prepared for its first big tour. This summer, to celebrate their 45^th Anniversary, the Choir, with members ages 10-19 from Greater Vancouver communities and central Vancouver Island, is travelling across the country with their special guests, the Abbotsford Virtuosi violin ensemble, in a sensational new show - O CANADA OUR HOME - Songs & Stories of Canada.

Three concerts are scheduled for British Columbia – Friday, June 20, 7:30 p.m. at St. John Shaughnessy Church, 1490 Nanton Avenue, Vancouver; Saturday, June 21, 7 p.m. at the South Abbotsford Church, 32424 Huntingdon Road, Abbotsford; and on Sunday, June 22 (3 p.m.) at the Port Theatre, 125 Front Street, Nanaimo. Fans can check out this great new show and help give these highly talented and excited youngsters a big BC send-off as they begin their month-long journey of a life-time – singing and playing together in Montreal, Ottawa, Gros Morne National Park, Cornerbrook, Sydney Mines, Lunenburg, Charlottetown, Saint John, Toronto, Stratford, Huntsville, Wawa, Neepawa, Saskatoon and Banff before venturing home through the Rockies.

The Choir – since its inception, has trained over 900 young singers and represented Canada around the globe, winning the hearts of audiences everywhere and receiving acclaim in the Netherlands, Europe, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, China, South America, the United States - and Canada. Says award-winning Artistic Director Tony Araujo; “It’s such a wonderful opportunity and fantastic cultural experience for these young artists to perform Canadian choral music across our own great nation – visiting each province, from sea to sea.” 

The Abbotsford Virtuosi – was established in 2000 by violinist and conductor Calvin Dyck to provide youth with opportunities to learn a broad range of orchestral repertoire and perform in public – with virtuosity - and fun! Their highly successful Songs Strings & Steps concerts create an arts experience that delights audiences and inspires youth to reach for the stars. Says Dyck, “This is the longest and biggest tour we have done and my youngest violinist has said, ‘I’m so EXCITED … I can’t wait!’”

O CANADA OUR HOME – is a highly entertaining performance filled with soul stirring and spine-tingling songs and music, brilliant choreography, heart-felt poetry, stories, costumes and surprises – all about Canada. Says Executive Director, Margot Holmes, “The goal for this show and tour is to celebrate Canada, this great country, the people, cultures and traditions - through songs and stories. Tony and Calvin have picked great music, from popular Canadian favourites and less familiar songs to choreographed string numbers. We are even dramatizing the poem We Are More by BC’s Shane Koyczan who presented it during the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.”

The Music – includes choral favourites from across Canada by Canadian composers - Northwest Passage, Song for the Mira, I’se the B’y, This is My Home, Song for Canada, Wood River, J’entends le Moulin, and Frobisher Bay. The Choir will also premiere the newly commissioned piece, Go Into the Glory of the Woods by Vancouver composer Brian Tate. The Abbotsford Virtuosi will accompany the Choir throughout then take the stage with Prairie Swing, Nickel Rag, Canticle for an Angel – and more!

Tickets - for July 20 in Vancouver are $25, students & children $14, available by calling 1-888-909-8282 and at the door; for July 21 in Abbotsford are $20, available at House of James, King’s Music, and at the door; and for July 22 in Nanaimo are $25, students & children $14, by calling 250-754-8550.

 For more information visit bcboyschoir.org  - Inspiring Excellence!