At a recent Thursday evening rehearsal of the Summer Choir, conductor Sara Douglas is in fine form, joking and nudging the performers to greater heights while co-conductor David Millard leads on the piano.
Douglas teaches the singers to go for that “cathedral sound” — it sounds full and rich even if the vocalist is only singing “aah.” There are only 28 choristers in the Sechelt church that evening — some are away. It’s a big choir normally, full of enthusiasm for singing, and it’s been meeting in the summer time for the past four years.
Their concert this year will be on Aug. 13 at St. Hilda’s Anglican Church with its fine acoustics.
The choir will perform late 19th century Czech composer Antonin Dvorak’s Mass in D major, also known as The Luzany Mass. Dvorak was requested by his patron and friend Josef Hlavka to compose a piece to consecrate a new chapel at Luzany Castle. It’s solemn and holy; it definitely achieves that cathedral sound.
“Sing out,” shouts Douglas to the choir, “and don’t be quiet until I tell you. I want to end this piece fortissimo.”
That means loudly. The altos are given a challenge — to try and be heard above the mighty bass singers. The choir is short a few tenors, but the sopranos sing sweetly.
They are also learning Antonio Vivaldi’s Credo in six movements and soon the notes of “gloria in excelsis deo” swell. They must learn not only the music but the correct pronunciation. David Millard coaches them on this. It’s hard work, but everyone appears to be enjoying it.
This is an unusual group in one way — it’s a choir for the singers, not necessarily for the concert audience. Some of the choir members explain that any choir practising for the perfect concert is in a high pressure situation, whereas this choir is much more relaxed.
Joy McLeod, music teacher and choir member, is there simply to enjoy the music and meet with friends. “It’s about the journey, and Sara is a pretty darn good tour guide,” McLeod said.
Choir member Sue Milne is also full of praise for the co-directors, a combination of Douglas and Millard, who have known one another since they were in their 20s. Both were students of the late Bill Bourns. Millard studied voice and organ as well as piano with Bourns, and when he introduced Douglas to him, Bourns became her vocal teacher. Millard will accompany the choir for the Dvorak Mass on the organ.
The concert starts at 7 p.m. at St. Hilda’s on Wednesday, Aug. 13, with a reception following. Admission is by donation at the door.
