The Hampshire County Youth Choir (HCYC) will present a program of secular and sacred favourite vocal pieces beginning Friday, August 1 at 7:30 p.m.
This will be the choir’s fourth visit to Parksville and the performance will be part of the Knox Presents… series.
The choir is comprised of 40 singers, ages 15 through 19, all of whom either live or attend school in Hampshire County, UK. They do not audition for choir membership but are required to undergo a rigorous program of vocal tutoring to ensure the choir’s international standard is maintained.
“It’s a steep learning curve [for the new singers],” said Martin Riddy, the choir’s accompanist, “but their dedication and love for singing carries them through.”
Most of the choir’s graduates do not make a career from their singing. Keith Clarke, the choir’s director, is more concerned that his graduates carry their love for singing into their adult lives as interests and avocations.
The program at Knox will be drawn from the choir’s extensive repertoire which ranges from Mozart to Lennon-McCartney, Gershwin to Vaughn Williams. Possible program items could include Danny Boy, My Lord, What a Morning, O Magnum Mysterium and Yesterday. All are welcome to come see the program. Advance tickets are available for $15 at the Knox office, 345 Pym St. or at Mulberry Bush bookstores in Qualicum Beach and Parksville. Tickets will be $20 at the door. To learn more, call Knox at 250-248-3927.
—Submitted by Doug White for Knox United