They are ready. The Choralations Children's Choir of School District No. 46 will fly to Ottawa on June 28 as B.C.'s representatives for a public Canada Day celebration, Unisong, on Parliament Hill. They will also appear at the National Arts Centre in a massed choir concert and will give smaller solo concerts.
Last Thursday, they demonstrated that they were already in fine singing form by appearing as the lead act at Elphinstone Secondary School's fifth annual barbecue and talent night.
This year, sale of food at the barbecue as well as 50/50 ticket sales all went into helping the choir raise the necessary funds for their trip. Choir leader Janice Brunson said that individuals had to come up with their own airfares, and community sponsors had chipped in to provide the outfits for their national performance. All members of the 27 member vocal group will go, except for one student who is graduating at that time. Most of the choir's members are in high school now and represent many different schools from Langdale to Pender Harbour, with the choir practice counting as a credit course.The recently dedicated Elphinstone courtyard overflowed with audience while the choir showed good harmony on a medley of African folk songs, then performed a song of peace with a solo by Elphi student Emily Pierron.
Also appearing at the talent night were 18 acts from other students. Among the highlights were Angela Moonen on guitar in her first stage appearance. James Law and Sophie Heppell on fiddles showed how much they had grown in their art. Olivia Kingsbury performed an original composition on piano, and several of the Choralations Choir broke loose to show what else they could do with sax, piano and a cappella singing.
