From Morna
Looking forward to having some extra learning and social time together at the Fall Retreat this Friday. We had some confusion about the start time, but I can confirm now that it is 10am. Dress comfortably. Bring all your music, your “main course” for lunch, a cold drink if you want one, and all your dishes, cutlery, coffee mug, etc. Thanks to everyone who is facilitating the other food and hot drinks for this day.
If you have time between now and Friday to listen to “Take This Thread” a few times, that would be great. Also Pat’s pronunciation track. Thanks! Our guest clinician for one hour in the afternoon will be Kari Turunen, Artistic Director of the Vancouver Chamber Choir, https://kariturunen.com/about/
Looking ahead to the November 10, 4:30-5:00pm visit to the rehearsal of the Lord Byng Chamber Choir, this is not a mandatory rehearsal, and I would like to stress that we only need to send a representative contingent of the choir. The purpose is both to get a feel for how the two massed choir pieces will go (Pastime with Good Company conducted by Lisa Lan and Love is Love is Love is Love conducted by me) and have a brief, informal meet and greet. If you live any distance away from the West Side of Vancouver, I don’t expect you to come! If you live in Vancouver proper and are able to make it, that would be great. Please let your section leader know either way.
See you Friday!
From Cathy
Retreat: Friday, October 28 10:00am to 3:00 Please note last week’s announcement said we are starting at 9:30 but it is definitely a 10:00am start!
Just a reminder of the EnChor Retreat this Friday from 10:00am to 3:00. Please bring your own “main course” and cold liquid refreshment. Fruit and vegetable platters will be provided, along with goodies, coffee and tea. Please also remember to bring your own plate, cutlery, napkin, and mug.
A Reminder: November 11th rehearsal
Rehearsal will be at PUSC, in the East/West Hall from 1:30 to 3:30pm
Kathaumixw Festival in Powell River: July 4 to 8, 2023
We are very excited to let you know that, based on the number of positive survey responses received last spring, the board has decided to go ahead with an application to the Kathaumixw Festival next summer – in the competitive category! The choir has the funds to cover some of the costs and to that end we passed a motion today to cover each person’s registration cost of $225. We also hope to be able to cover some of the transportation costs, but the details on this have yet to be worked out. We are looking into the cost of hiring a bus and we know that some people will probably want to carpool or take their own car. So more to come on that later. Probably, (but still in discussion) each person will have to pay their own hotel accommodation and meal costs. The Kathaumixw festival has given us these figures as guides only for accommodation, meals and gratuities. (per person, per night, for 5 nights)
Single person$165.00 to $265.00
2 per room$125.00 to $175.00
4 per room$120.00 to $135.00
As more details on the costs become available we will pass this information on to you. Eventually we will send out a survey in which we will ask you to commit to attending, and find out more information about your transportation needs.
I have not attended a Kathaumixw Festival before but from all accounts it is a week filled with amazing music, interesting people, social events and so much more. For more information please go to https://www.kathaumixw.org/
Masking at Rehearsals and Concerts
There continues to be much discussion about masking of singers and our audience at the board meetings. Opinions have differed as to whether or not we need to do this. However, the board has accepted the recommendation of the Covid Safety Committee that we proceed with an abundance of caution and continue masking of both singers and audience, keeping in mind the demographics of our choir and the desire to be as inclusive as possible. This policy will continue to be regularly reviewed.
Cathy
From Jay Black
Gerry van Wyck’s Pacific Spirit Choir is marking Remembrance Day with a performance of ‘The Armed Man – A Mass for Peace’ by celebrated British composer Karl Jenkins. It looks back at the horrors of war with great drama and pathos, taking us on a spiritual journey which ends with the hope for a future without conflict. Come and experience this stirring work, performed with a live orchestra, on Sunday 6 November, 2pm at West Vancouver United Church.
Book tickets online now at pacificspiritchoir.com.
(Hazel Mackie and I both sing with PSC.)