Two international choral groups are coming to Parksville
The Parksville and District Musical Association is sponsoring two Kathaumixw Festival choirs — one from Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. and another from New Zealand — to perform at Knox United Church.
The Atlanta Young Singers is a choir for children and youth. It has travelled throughout North America and Europe. The choir recently won a gold medal and a diploma at the 2014 World Choir Games.
The New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir — which is the guest choir at the Kathaumixw Festival — won the festival’s People’s Choice Award in 2010. The choir is a mix of secondary school students aged 13-19 throughout the country.
Local co-ordinator Carolyn Hateley said throughout the years, the association has been able to bring in a good mix of choirs from places such as Finland, Ecuador, Spain and Australia.
“The reason I want (people) to come to the concert is it’s usually a wonderful experience like musically and culturally and everything,” Hateley said. “It’s a wonderful experience. It’s a level of music — which we have here — and beyond because it’s difference directors and different approaches to music and how the choirs sound.”
She said that although she doesn’t know what songs the choirs will be singing, it will be a high-quality show.
“It will probably be a mix of classical and they usually have some ethnic music. I should imagine from New Zealand there should be some Maori music included. I suspect they’ll also have a haka,” Hateley said. “Knox Church, which is where we’re having it, I think it’ll be ideal because it’s got that lovely, wide stage, so they’ll have space to do it.”
The concert is Tuesday, July 12 at 7 p.m. at Knox United Church (345 Pym St., Parksville). Tickets can be purchased at Mulberry Bush Bookstores (280 East Island Hwy., Parksville or 676 Memorial Ave., Qualicum Beach) or at the door for $15.