Sing Summer Recap
What an extraordinary summer we’ve had! Sing Summer entered its 42nd year in 2019, with its typical flair for cameraderie and love of song.
From August 11-24, the Berwick United Church camp grounds was home to over 70 Adult Choir Camp and over 50 Youth and Junior Choir Camp participants.
The Junior unison choir, made up of 8-12 year olds, was led this year by local conductor Krista Vincent, with assistant Conductor Nelle Callanan. Krista, herself a former camper, founded the Vivace Children’s Choir, conducted the Halifax Youth Honour Choir, and now conducts the adult choir EnChor East Singers. Like always, the campers were given a challenging and rewarding musical experience, taking part in daily rehearsals and musical activities. In addition to singing, campers also took part in arts and theatre activities, as well as a variety of fun camp activities. The choir performed a range of music, from the moving Can You Hear Me?, which campers learned to sign, to the uplifting good vibes of Good People by Great Big Sea for an audience of family and friends at the end of the week.
That same week, mixed voice Youth Choir Camp, ages 13-18, was off to great start under the wing of guest conductor, John Wiebe, who visited us from Edmonton, Alberta. John brought an eclectic repertoire with him, introducing the young choristers to madrigals, norwegian folk tunes, and contemporary choral selections, among others. Throughout the week, the beautiful notes of Eric Whitacre’s The Seal Lullaby or the haunting melody of Ned I Vester Soli Glader, soared across camp, lighting up the passerby with music.
The next week, Adult Choir Camp took to the spotlight once again. Swiss-born Conductor Michael Zaugg joined us from Edmonton, where he conducts the Pro Coro Chamber choir, to conduct the choir. What followed was another succesful year at ACC, with rigorous musical education and spirited performance. As always, our annual Talent Show, Hollywood Night, was a major success, with performances that ranged from the hilarious and absurd to the supportive and moving. The Final Concert was equally successful with the Choir performing works by Brahms, Dillworth and Faure. In addition, the concert also featured the performance of 4 contemporary works by female contemporary composers: Laura Hawley, Christine Donkin, Marie-Claire Saindon, and Laura Sgroi.
