Choristers want to sing in the 50th Calgary Boys Choir

Anyone interested in the sounds of angels is invited to join the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Calgary Boys' Choir, performing in concert on Sunday, May 26 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Organizers hope that if the exposure even generates interest, it will try to open a satellite branch of the choir at Cochrane.

Cochrane's representation so far consists of “urban singers” Leland and Jessie Tester and Cadel Dutta, who perform in concert.

Leland Tester is 13 years old. He has been singing in the choir for seven years. Her enthusiasm for her choral experience shines through on the phone.

“You meet new friends and feel more confident when you sing in public,” she said.

One of her fondest memories was when she was selected from 100 other singers to perform at a recent Alberta Children's Choir performance at a large church in Calgary.

“It was really cool and really fun,” he recalled. – One hundred children in the same church sang at the same time. It was like angels singing from heaven.”

The boys attend Manachaban High School in Cochrane. Testers were members for seven years and Dutta for one year.

As part of the choir's performance, a three-day workshop for local tenors, bassists and alumni will be held May 23-25 ​​with guest conductor Gerald Wirth, artistic director of the Vienna Children's Choir and former artistic director of the Calgary Children's Choir (1991-1998). . At the concert, the workshop choir sings with the choir.

A social for attendees and all alumni will be held Saturday evening at Merchants Restaurant and Bar in Marda Loop, Calgary.

The choir is fundraising for this 50th celebration and Guest Artist Sponsorship is still available ($1,500). Donations and silent auction items are gladly accepted.
Cochranite Cindy Tester is Leland and Jessie's mother and serves as choir president.

They currently have a car from Cochrane for training in Calgary at Marda Loop, but Tester hopes to open a Cochrane chapter this fall.

“We're looking for a space, but I don't have it confirmed yet. One of our teachers is from Springbank, so . . .” he said.

According to Tests, Leland gains valuable life experience by participating in the choir outside of the actual productions. He has shown a penchant for speaking in public and fielding questions from reporters, and speaks well even without any training.

“Boys have opportunities to make amazing music, to have camaraderie, to have fun, to perform in the community and with other choral groups, and to join honors choirs,” she said.

“They develop confidence, public speaking skills, learn cooperation and go on amazing camps and tours in Canada and abroad,” she said.

Growing up in Stettler, Tester was a member of a choir that won a national competition and happily continues her love of the activity.

The concert is in Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall at the Rosza Center, 2500 University Dr. NW on Sunday, May 26 at 3 p.m.

A reception and online silent auction will follow. The concert also features alumni guest and popular Canadian folk musician John Worth Hannan. Tickets and more information are available at: calgaryboyschoir.com/50years.

The tester can be contacted at (email protected).