A Song to Remember - 45th Anniversary Memoirs of the British Columbia Boys Choir

A Song to Remember – 45^th Anniversary Memoirs
Featuring the Voices of the British Columbia Boys Choir
 

Launched at the British Columbia Boys Choir’s 45^th Anniversary Gala at the Chan Centre in Vancouver, “A Song to Remember” is a unique compilation of memories and moments presented like a song, with a Score (Table of Contents) and Verses (Chapters), and with contributions from ‘Boys’ (old and young), families, music directors, board members, management, hosts and friends. Alumni who have contributed include: Peter Strummer, international opera singer; Fraser Walters of The Tenors; Peter Togni, broadcaster, musician and composer; Alessandro Juliani, actor, singer, composer; and professional musicians like Frankie Cena, Cameron Haney, Peter Alexander, Jason Cook, Tom Dobrzanski, Jason Nett, and Barry Rector. The book is filled with quotes from interviews, various archival documents, newsletters, articles and newspaper reviews.   

“(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.

Says author Rosemary Phillips, “What better voice to tell their story than that of the Choir itself. This is their song - in words and pictures.”

“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, Alumni, Professional Musician, Retired Teacher.

A Song to Remember is the story of a Choir that started as one man’s dream in 1968 and evolved into a harmonious musical instrument that continues to perform a demanding repertoire from Gregorian chant to contemporary music. The Choir has trained over 900 boys and toured extensively around the world representing British Columbia and Canada. From small concert halls and churches to massive cathedrals and auditoriums the Choir, like a pebble in a pond, has sent ripples around the world and affected lives through their voice, songs, presence and positive influences passed on to communities wherever they have performed. They have won not only the hearts of audiences everywhere but received acclaim throughout Canada, the Netherlands, the United States, Europe, Russia, Czech Republic, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, China and South America.

“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, Professional Singer, Chanticleer, now with The Tenors.

A Song to Remember follows the Choir and its members on their journey, adventures and antics from the Choir’s inception in 1968 with illustrious founding director Donald Forbes and their unforgettable tour behind the Iron Curtain in 1969, to their popularity in Holland, the voice change (rite of passage), traditions, recordings, changing times, transitions with award-winning directors Gerald van Wyck and Tony Araujo, and, like any non-profit organization, the many challenges of keeping it all together over the years. Most importantly, A Song to Remember tells of how the Choir has not just been about the music, but the experience that influenced each boy’s future life and career as businessman, lawyer, designer, bus drive, professional musician, broadcaster, composer, recording engineer and arts administrator, to name a few professions.

“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

 

Published by Reikos International Publishers, A Song to Remember is available through www.bcboyschoir.org and at all concerts as the Choir, directed by Tony Araujo, begins their 45^th Anniversary cross-Canada tour from June 27 to July 26 with their show O Canada Our Home – Songs & Stories of Canada – highlighted by singing ‘O Canada’ on Parliament Hill for the Canada Day 2014 noon show.

For more information and to order copies ($32 plus shipping) phone the BC Boys Choir office at 1-888-909-8282 or visit online www.bcboyschoir.org - Inspiring Excellence!