COASTAL SOUND INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2007 ~ A RESOUNDING SUCCESS!
On June 29, 2007 Convocation Mall at Simon Fraser University rang out with the voices of 470 children and youth harmonizing at the Opening Ceremonies. Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble ushered the parade of 18 choirs in at the start; vocal percussionists “Novel Voz” wowed us with rhythm and energy, international guest conductors Bob Chilcott (United Kingdom) and Cristian Grases (Venezuela/USA) closed the evening by directing the massed choirs in the beautiful Maori lullaby “Hine e Hine” arranged by David Hamilton and a “Morning Tide” by Stephen Leek, telling about the tides of Australia. It was a joyful opening to a wonderful festival!
Guest Artists ~ Novel Voz
As the days progressed, the singers rehearsed, laughed, ate, exchanged pins and email addresses, and went off in their own choir groups for sight-seeing.
In lunch-hour “breaks,” some of the choirs participated in outstanding workshops. Others went by bus from Burnaby Mountain to Burnaby Heritage Village, Lougheed Town Centre, and Port Moody City Hall to present short, free concerts for the public. Every choir had an opportunity to perform a 20-minute, solo, noon-hour set, and a 25-minute, solo, evening set.
Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble
The festival culminated in a Gala Closing concert at which the 470 singers joined voices with their new choral friends to present the music they had worked so hard for five days to prepare under the direction of our guest conductors. This included a specially commissioned composition by Bob Chilcott, which the composer directed the choirs singing words written by Robert Louis Stevenson: “…and at noonday, you and I…see the same sun shine!” It was a passionate moment for singers who had journeyed from many parts of the globe, and for the audience members who heard this wonderful piece for the very first time.
2007 Guest Clinicians — Bob Chilcott & Cristian Grases
Bob Chilcott said: “It was an absolutely marvelous festival, for which many thanks. It had so many memorable aspects, but I think the overwhelming one was the atmosphere of energetic music making coupled with the good spirit of all involved.”
The singers of staff of Sing New South Wales (Australia) sent a message: “What an amazing week! Our children and staff will come away from this festival with memories for a lifetime. We thank you for your superb organization and warm hospitality.”
And now, we look forward to the next Coastal Sound International Choral Festival, June 29 — July 4, 2009, which will again take place at Simon Fraser University with guest conductors Francisco J. Núñez from New York and Adam Con from Georgia.
2007 Participating Choirs:
Alaska Youth Chorus
The Bel Canto Children's Chorus
Cantaré Children's Choir
Children's Choir of the Royal Danish Academy of Music
ChildrenSong of New Jersey
Crystal Youngmen
CSMA Chamber Choir
CSMA Children's Choir
CSMA Kiaro
Minnetonka Chamber Choir
Mississauga Children's Choir
Mount Royal Arioso
Piedmont Choirs — Concert Choir
Rafiki Youth Choir
Sing New South Wales, Australia
South Shore Children's Chorus
Tampa Bay Children’s Chorus
