Get to know your BCCF Chorfest 2018 Clinicians!

We’re excited; you’re excited; they’re excited. But do any of us really know each other yet? Not particularly. That’s why the BCCF Communications team came up with five fun questions to break the ice and help you get acquainted with the people at the podium, May 11-13 in Richmond!

Allison Girvan

Nelson-based singer, educator, conductor of Solstice and Corazon, and our BC Youth Choir (BCYC) 2018 clinician.

Q: When was the moment you knew you wanted to be a conductor?

A: There was no moment but rather a gradual realization that conducting was not about control but instead about shaping a shared experience and that, as a “conductor” one is afforded the privilege and joy to be the centre point in a communication between performer and audience.

Q: What is your favourite post-concert meal?

A: A burger and fries!! Or anything, really. I am always super hungry after a concert…

Q: What is your ‘bucket list’ piece to conduct, and with which ensemble?

A: With so many pieces yet to be discovered and so many ensembles of which I am not aware, I feel wholly unable to answer this question! 🙂

Q: If you could sing under any conductor, who would it be?

A: Honestly, I would say my friends and colleagues – Carrie Tennant, Scott Leithead, Jennifer Moir – these people apart from being wonderful musicians, foster the feelings that I would want to have as a singer in an ensemble. Feelings of being engaged, curious and invested in the process.

Q: What is your musical guilty pleasure outside of the choral genre?

A: Not so much “guilty” pleasures, but – Progressive Bluegrass music (like Aoife O’Donovan and Sarah Jarosz), Stevie Wonder, any Stephen Sondheim (but especially Sweeney Todd!), Peter Gabriel…