Looking for concert tickets?
Saturday, May 27
7-9 PM
Native Sons Hall (360 Cliffe Ave. – Courtenay)
Featuring:
The Chorfest Singers (Scott Leithead, conductor | Sean Mooney, accompanist)
Vancouver Island Chamber Choir (Brian Tate, conductor)
A Cappella Plus (Patricia Plumley, conductor)
Just In Time Choir (Wendy Nixon Stothert, conductor)
$20 (under 12 free)
Available at Blue Heron Brooks (1775 Comox Ave, Comox), House of Colour (249 5th St, Courtenay) or at the door.
Looking for singer registration?
Enjoy the beauty of singing in community in the beautiful Comox Valley May 26-27 when BCCF Chorfest returns to the North Island after 28 years. We are thrilled to invite you to our rich choral community where we will learn, laugh and create harmony with singers from one end of the Island to the other – and the Gulf Islands, too! Be our guests as we grow our choral skills at BCCF Chorfest 2023: Sing Together, under the talented and dynamic direction of Scott Leithead, founder of Kokopelli Choirs in Edmonton.
Our venue will be Native Sons Hall (360 Cliffe Ave. in Courtenay)
Fees:
Early bird: $125 incl. tax (until May 8)
Regular: $145 incl. tax (starting May 9)
Your Chorfest experience includes:
• A weekend of singing
• Admission to a Participants Social on May 26 (cash bar available)
• A concert on May 27
• BCCF Individual Membership ($40 value!)
Optional Add-On: Box Lunch (Sat May 27): Additional $16 incl. tax
Must be ordered by May 13
Note: Registrants who need to cancel for medical reasons may apply to have their Chorfest fee refunded, less a $35 administrative fee. BCCF membership is non-refundable, and good for a calendar year.
Schedule:
Friday, May 26
6:30- 7:00 PM
Registration
7:00- 9:00 PM
Rehearsal
9:00- 11:00 PM
Wine & Cheese Social
Saturday, May 27
9:00 – 12:00 PM
Rehearsal
12:00 – 1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 – 4:00 PM
Rehearsal
7:00 – 9:00 PM
Concert
Clinician:
Scott Leithead is the founder and Artistic Director of Edmonton’s Kokopelli Choir Association and TIME Association. He has been invited to conduct provincial and state honour choirs on twenty-five occasions and he has presented workshops in North America and beyond. Notable appearances include: adjudicating the Tampere International Festival in Finland; conducting the 2013, 2015-2019 Ellison Canadian Honour Choir; and headlining the 2017 University of Toronto Summer Conducting Symposium. He has adjudicated both the ACCC National Competition for Amateur Canadian Choirs and the Kathaumixw International Choir Festival (2014 and 2016). Under his direction, Kokopelli was the winner of both the 2015 CBC National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs and both the 2015 and 2016 Canadian National Music Competition. In the summer of 2019, Kokopelli was invited to perform at the IFCM World Choral Expo in Portugal, where they represented Canada on the world stage. Also in 2019, Kokopelli was featured on an episode of CTV’s “The Amazing Race Canada”.
Scott has a passion for music from southern Africa, and he has been invited to work with choirs in South Africa and Namibia on numerous occasions. In 2008–2009, Scott was on sabbatical in Namibia, where he worked with the Mascato Youth Choir and many other choirs in southern Africa. Scott’s passion for innovative and unique choral music experiences has shaped the direction of the Kokopelli Choir Association. In February 2023 he will conduct the ISSEA Mass Choir in Johannesburg South Africa featuring international schools from across the African continent.
Also this year he will conduct the Saskatchewan Youth Choir, The Ellison Canadian Honour Choir (Niagara Falls) and the BC Chorfest Adult Choir. He will guest conduct at Mosaik 2023 in Ottawa and return to adjudicate the 2023 Kathaumixw International Choral Festival.
Scott is a longtime member of the advisory committee for the Canadian Rocky Mountain Music Festival and the Edmonton, Kelowna and Whistler Cantando Festivals.
Scott was awarded Choir Alberta’s top honour, the Richard S. Eaton Award, in 2015. He also received Edmonton’s Salute to Excellence award in 2016. He has also been awarded the Syncrude Award for Innovative Direction.
Repertoire:
Circle of Song – Tony Turner, arr. Jane Perry
Hlonolofatsa [Iyo, Bless] (Sotho lyrics; arr. University of Pretoria Youth Choir; South Africa). This is Travis’ Choir; he will help lead it.
Lead With Love – Melanie Demore
All Things New – Elaine Hagenberg
Vindo – Latvian song of welcome. “Exciting and [will] work well in that creative space” (Scott Leithead)
Sing Together (with audience) – Nico Rhodes
Participants will receive printed copies of this music on site. Digital options, where possible, will be available in advance.
Accommodation Options:
Reduced Group Rates apply until April 26, 2023
A limited number of rooms are being held at the following two hotels. We encourage you to book as soon as possible, and certainly before April 26.
Bayview Hotel
2200 Cliffe Ave.
Courtenay
V9N 2L4
Prices based on double occupancy; add $10 per person per night for additional people
Price includes: full hot breakfast, WIFI, pool
Rooms will be held at this rate until April 26, 2023
TO BOOK: Dial 778-225-0010. Quote block code 2305CHORFE
Deluxe Double Queen (2 queen beds)
> $154.00 per night (+ taxes)
King Executive Suite (king in separate room, and queen sofa bed)
> $164.00 per night (+ taxes)
Jacuzzi Suite (king in separate room), and queen sofa bed
> $194.00 per night (+ taxes)
Family Suite (Two queens in main area, king in separate room)
> $214.00 per night (+ taxes)
The Westerly Hotel
1590 Cliffe Ave.
Courtenay
V9N 2K4
Prices based on double occupancy; add $20 per person per night for additional people.
Price includes: full hot buffet breakfast, parking, WIFI
Rooms will be held at this rate until April 26, 2023
Free cancellation up to 24 hours prior to arrival
TO BOOK: call hotel direct at 250-338-7741, extension 4 (front desk)
Say “Chorfest”, “arrival May 26th, 2023”
Double Queen room (2 queen beds)
> $169.15 per night (+ taxes)
20 rooms available
We are honoured to gather on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation whose rich artistry, culture and traditions surround us.
