2023 Annual Show: Behind the Scenes
Throughout the year, there was a general sense of excitement in the chorus that our annual show, “All Aboard (Tout le monde à bord)”, would be truly special, not least because of one of the most prominent guest quartets we have welcomed in recent years, Daily Special.
From May to October, we worked hard on our songs for the Northeastern District (NED) Fall Convention and the show. Our director introduced us to a vocal production bootcamp program, providing us with exercises focusing on a few points each week to help the ideas sink in. At the NED Convention in October, we came away with performances that again exceeded our results in the spring. We were also pleasantly surprised by the enthusiastic reception we received when the owners of the restaurant where we celebrated asked us to sing for their customers (https://fb.watch/oJ8bwBCaL6/). By the time we returned, we felt confident about performing at our annual show.
The build-up to the show over the next three weeks, however, turned out to be turbulent. Likely owing to the worsening economic outlook over the summer, donations for advertisements in the show program were slow to arrive. Then, just nine days before the show, we found that our assistant director had fallen ill and would likely miss the event. As if that were not enough, after our final rehearsal before the show, one of our members was involved in a vehicle accident. Weather forecasts were also pointing to rain on Saturday evening. Only two days until the show, there was considerable uncertainty about how events would unfold.
As I have witnessed time and again, though, we each found ways to help out, pulled together, and ultimately came through. I leave it to our interim president’s recap of our show, which captures superbly the atmosphere of perhaps the best show we have put on in recent times, (available shortly in a related post in French). This resilience is what I find most impressive about our chorus. Despite the numerous challenges we have faced over the recent years, our resourceful members have always discovered ways to succeed together. I like to think that this is because of the bonds we forge and consecrate in singing together, every Wednesday night, all year long.
Do you miss singing? Would you like to experience the fellowship and camaraderie that come hand in hand with ringing chords singing a cappella? You can always drop by St Paul’s Anglican Church in Greenfield Park, from 7:30 to 10 pm. We are always here to welcome you with open arms. Check us out!
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