Avalon Voices, a ladies choir, prepares to bring music from ‘The Rock’ to the ‘Big Apple’
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In celebration of ten years worth of performances, Conception Bay South ladies choir, Avalon Voices, is thinking big. Keri Kao, the group’s musical director, says the women are incredibly excited
‘10th anniversary’
“This March, they celebrate their 10th anniversary as a choir and they wanted to do something special to acknowledge this milestone,” she says.
In anticipation, she went looking for a festival they could attend that would involve travelling outside of the province. She decided on Choirs of America: Nationals for Top Choirs’ in New York City. They had to apply by sending in a recording. They were accepted.
“This festival will include an adjudicated performance where they will be graded, plus clinics and workshops, and it will culminate in the amazing opportunity to perform in Carnegie Hall.”
Overwhelming? A little, however Kao proudly says the choir has been preparing for this trip for the last three years.
“They have been fundraising as well as learning the large amount of repertoire involved,” she says.
Welcome to the Rock
For their adjudicated performance, Avalon Voices, who practice out of Musically Inclined in Kelligrews, decided to focus on Newfoundland folk music. They will be performing a set of Newfoundland folk songs as well as Welcome to the Rock from the well known Broadway Musical Come From Away.
“Their hope is to bring the music of Newfoundland to New York, to promote the music and culture of this province, as well as to represent Conception Bay South and Newfoundland,” says Kao.
Kao shares the choir were honoured to receive a grant from the Bruneau Centre for Choral Excellence through Memorial University to help towards their travel expenses.
For more financial support, Avalon voices will be hosting a St. Patrick’s Day concert and fundraiser at the Legion in Kelligrews on March 13th. The concert will begin at 7:00 pm and admission is $10.00, payable at the door.
Great night of Music
“We will have other guest performers and it will be a great night of Irish and Newfoundland music. There will also be cake walks, a silent auction, as well as free refreshments,” Kao shares.
Avalon voices perform several times a year at their own concerts, as well as the Kiwanis Music Festival and at a variety of community events. Their group is quite unique. As opposed to having an accompanist, Kao shares she prefers to utilize the talents of her choir members.
“In New York, Sarah Finch will be playing the guitar, Sandra Barry will be on the bodhran with Lisa Power on the flute.”
Kao adds she hopes to see a large turn out at the event in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. “It’s all for a great cause, and the performances will be spectacular.”