You are warmly invited to the heart of the Okanagan for BCCF Seniors’ Chorfest 2019: “Voices in the Valley” – April 10-12, 2019 in beautiful Kelowna, BC!
This biennial gathering of senior singers is expected to draw over 200 singers from across the province. (We define “senior” as someone 55 years and counting, but no one will be turned away!)
Our local planning committee is excited to welcome you to this event where you will meet old friends and new, sing and share together with our talented clinician, Fiona Blackburn, and pianist, Carol Colpitts.
Join us for this special time of musicmaking and camaraderie, with a special theme: In Harmony with Nature.
REGISTRATION FEES
Early Bird (By March 1) = $150*
Regular (after March 1) = $160*
*Includes rehearsal CD, 2019 Seniors’ Chorfest commissioned piece, & BCCF individual membership
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Wine Tasting/Tour at Summerhill Pyramid Winery ($10) / Extra Concert Tickets ($12) / “Voices in the Valley” T-Shirt* ($18) – Click here for a size chart!
*Shirts must be ordered by March 1, 2019.
Interested in learning more? View our Registration Brochure!
REGISTER ONLINE
We accept Visa, MasterCard and PayPal using our secure online form.
OUR CLINICIAN
Fiona Blackburn
Fiona Blackburn’s eclectic musical career has included: performing as a classically trained soloist and recording artist, teaching voice and adjudicating festivals.
From the University of British Columbia, Fiona earned a: Bachelor of Music in voice performance; Bachelor of Education (Secondary Music); and Master of Music in choral conducting. Professionally, Fiona has performed with the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Vancouver Opera, and numerous Canadian orchestras. She has two Celtic CDs to her credit and even sang for five summers on an Alaskan cruise ship.
Fiona has taught music from kindergarten to university, where she was adjunct professor in the Department of Education at UBC.
Fiona is currently the Artistic Director of the British Columbia Girls Choir, which has toured Australia, China, Central & North America and much of Europe. In July of 2018, the girls travelled through the United Kingdom and represented Canada at the prestigious International Eisteddfod at Llangollen, Wales. Fiona also directs Zephyra Women’s Choir and, most recently, has accepted the directorship of Pacifica Singers, the associate ensemble of the Vancouver Chamber Choir.
When working with singers, either soloists or choral singers, Fiona’s aim is to create an environment in which each person may explore their full vocal potential. Here’s a brief message from her:
Dear Seniors’ Chorfest Singers,
I am already counting down the weeks until we make our first glorious sound together. With so many singers – we are really going to ‘raise the roof’!
Your intrepid Seniors’ Chorfest Committee and I hope that you are intrigued with our selection of repertoire. We have a great range of poetry, Canadiana, a couple of ‘challenge pieces’ (how are you doing with Sparrow’s Jig?), and a sentimental favourite. We want the music to be intriguing for you to learn, and enjoyable for our audience, too. From my perspective, this music affords us plenty of opportunities to build our individual vocal techniques through the repertoire, and my greatest wish is that each of you goes home with a renewed, elevated sense of your vocal abilities! As one great ‘vocal collective’, the music also provides our Seniors’ Chorfest Choir with plenty of musical nuances to explore. Nicholas has crafted a wonderful work to celebrate Seniors’ Chorfest, and one of the most exciting aspects of our rehearsal process will be to bring to life this beautiful, new piece that has been written especially for us all.
Just to give you a little insight into our time together – be prepared to laugh! I have been know to encourage singers to try some zany things, the result of which is that: we may release our voices; build a sense of community; and most importantly, have plenty of fun. We will explore how we can turn our music into something really creative and magical. We will experiment with tonal colour, phrasing, and how we interpret the poetry. By the end of Seniors’ Chorfest, we will have turned 200 voices from around the province into one marvellous choir. I can hardly wait to meet you all – see you on April 10th.
– Fiona
OUR ACCOMPANIST
Carol Colpitts
Upon completion of her classical studies with Edward Parker, Ms. Colpitts began an active career in Vancouver as rehearsal/performance pianist and/or Musical Director for over 50 musicals at the community and professional level. She has been involved in Vancouver productions at the Arts Club, Vancouver Playhouse, Theatre Under the Stars and Vancouver Opera Association as well as variety shows produced by CBC, BCTV and the PNE. Carol enjoyed the privilege of working with esteemed directors, Otto Lowy and Tom Kerr, choreographers Grace McDonald and Valerie Easton and has worked with many of Canada’s top actors.
Carol and husband Dennis and family moved to Kelowna in 1990 where she has continued in her musical career. She was Musical Director for seven years of MASK, five years with Encore and four years as Celebrative Arts Pastor at Trinity Baptist Church. Carol performed throughout Western Canada for ten years with the late Michael Burgess and has toured extensively with singers Melina Moore and Peter Karrie.
Carol was the guest accompanist at Chorfest 2016 in Vernon and has been for the past several years and continues as the rehearsal/performance pianist for the Okanagan Symphony and Chorus. As well as being a prolific choral and orchestral arranger, Carol is a much sought-after accompanist and clinician. Her unique blend of classical, pop, light jazz and contemporary piano styles are often heard at functions throughout the valley.
REPERTOIRE
Available for purchase from your favourite music retailer
After the Wind* – Nicholas Ryan Kelly
SATB commissioned work, MS edition. Catalogue #: Manuscript
*2019 Seniors’ Chorfest commission; included in registration
All the Little Rivers – Larry Nickel
SATB edition. Catalogue #: CP1195
All the Things You Are – Jerome Kern (arr. Mark Hayes)
SATB edition. Catalogue #: 35029455
Pussywillows, Cattails – Gordon Lightfoot (arr. Larry Nickel)
SATB edition. Catalogue #: CP1377
Sparrow’s Jig – Bruce Sled
SATB edition. Catalogue #: CP1132
Voices of Earth – Stephen Chatman
SAB edition. Catalogue #: 7.0502
Rehearsal tracks are available here, to aid you in learning your music in advance. Please contact the registrar for the password if it was not given to you following the submission of your registration form.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10
4:00–8:00 – Registration / Wine and Cheese Reception at Laurel Packing House (1304 Ellis St, Kelowna)
THURSDAY, APRIL 11
9:00–10:30 – Rehearsal at First Lutheran Church (4091 Lakeshore Rd, Kelowna)
10:30–11:00 – Break
11:00–12:30 – Rehearsal at First Lutheran Church
12:30–1:30 – Lunch
1:30–3:30 – Rehearsal at First Lutheran Church
3:30 – Excursions to Winery or Lakeside walk
FRIDAY, APRIL 12
9:00–10:30 – Rehearsal at First Lutheran Church
10:30–11:00 – Break
11:00–12:30 – Rehearsal at First Lutheran Church
12:30 am –1:30 pm – Lunch & Directors’ Meeting
1:30–4:00 – Rehearsals: Massed & Individual Choirs at First Lutheran Church
7:30 pm – Concert at First Lutheran Church (4091 Lakeshore Rd, Kelowna)
ACCOMMODATIONS
Registrants should make their own arrangements. The following hotels in Kelowna are offering a special rate for Seniors’ Chorfest participants:
Accent Inn — $119.00
1140 Harvey (Hwy. 97)
1-800-663-0298
Coast Capri — $125.00
1171 Harvey Ave.
1-800-663-1144
Kelowna Inn & Suites — $105.00
1070 Harvey Ave.
1-800-667-6133
Prestige Beach House — $119.00
1675 Abbott St.
1-866-430-4982
Ramada Inn — $115.00
2170 Harvey Ave.
1-800-665-2518
Siesta Inn & Suites — $95.00
3152 Lakeshore Rd.
1-800-663-4347
Kanata Hotel & Conference Centre — $129.95
2429 Hwy 97 N.
1-888-700-2264
For additional hotel information, click here.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For inquiries, please email Gloria at seniorschorfest@bcchoralfed.com.