The British Columbia Boys Choir celebrates 45 years
On Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 3 p.m. the British
Columbia Boys Choir presents their 45th
Anniversary Gala Concert and launch of their book A Song to Remember - 45th Anniversary Memoirs, at
the Chan Shun Concert Hall, Chan Centre at UBC (6265
Crescent Road, Vancouver). Tickets for adults, $26, and youth, $15 (+ service
charges) at Ticketmaster 1-855-985-2787 and in
person at the Chan Centre Ticket Centre.
For the last 45 years this four-part secular Boys
Choir, founded in 1968 by the late Donald Forbes, has performed throughout British
Columbia and across Canada. Their 30-plus international tours, from their first
in 1969 behind the Iron Curtain and latest to Costa Rica, have garnered them
acclaim throughout Europe, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, China, South America
and the United States.
“(The audience) clapped lustily from the start, and the closing number
brought them happily to their feet.” - Max Wyman, Sun Music Critic, June 19,
1969
In those 45 years over 900 boys and young men have
trained and toured with the choir, performing a demanding repertoire from
Gregorian chant to contemporary music. It was not just about the music, but
about the experience that influenced each boy’s future life as businessman,
lawyer, designer and bus driver to professional musician, broadcaster,
composer, recording engineer and arts administrator etc.
Maturing as a young man is an important part of your life, and to have a
mentor to help you through that time is very important. – Fraser Walters, The
Tenors
On Sunday, May 18 at 3 p.m. members of the present
BC Boys Choirs will be joined by the Alumni Choir at the Chan Centre in a
magnificent gala to celebrate and perform all their favourite songs and a new composition by Brian Thate, while choral
directors Tony Araujo (2003-present) and Gerald van Wyck (1988-2003) conduct.
“From treble to bass, from boy to man, from innocent to dare-I-say worldly!
Such was the journey I took as a member of the Boys Choir for the near-decade
(’83-’92) that I was proud to be a member.” - Alessandro Juliani, Actor,
Singer, Composer and Sound Designer
A Song to Remember – 45th Anniversary Memoirs
“A Song to Remember” is a compilation of memories
and moments. What better voice to tell their story than the Choir itself. This
is their song - in words and pictures. The boys (old and young), families,
music directors, board members, management, hosts and friends have all
contributed. For every voice in this history there are many more that will
remember an event, concert, journey, rehearsal, recording, a special moment.
Like a pebble in a pond, the Choir has sent ripples around the world and
affected lives through the music, songs, presence and positive influences
passed on to communities wherever they have performed.
“The choir kept attracting some of the most amazing boys from all over
the city undoubtedly drawn by the prospect of not only singing but also travelling.”
- Barry Rector
Published by Reikos International, “A Song to
Remember” has a Score (Table of Contents) divided into Verses (Chapters) filled
with quotes from interviews, newsletters, newspapers and various archival
documents. The book will be released at the 45th Anniversary Gala
Concert and will be available through the Boys Choir, at all their upcoming concerts,
and during their 2014 cross-Canada tour.
