Enjoy some home-grown SJ talent.

A11

Ashleigh VanHouten

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

Speak Up

Whoever said teenagers were lazy?

Okay, maybe some of them are, but the members of the Saint John High School choir sure aren't. They have been invited to participate in the 11th Annual New York Choral Festival in March 2010, and need to raise a whopping $120,000. To this end, the group of 57 students has been fundraising non-stop, and the rest of the community is rallying around their efforts.

The festival will feature choirs from Africa, Europe, the Pacific Rim, the United States and Canada. The students will share in a concert exchange at a Manhattan church as well as sing together in a combined choral ensemble. They will participate in two workshops, perform at the famous Lincoln Center, and attend a Broadway show and gospel church service in Harlem.

Patricia Gallagher, Music Director at SJHS, has been directing the concert choir for eight years. She says the group keeps very busy performing in a number of community and fundraising events. Gallagher says the group is excited to represent the country as the only Canadian group at the festival.

"We have prepared pieces by Canadian composers and songs about the Maritimes so that people all over the world can get a glimpse of who we are and where we're from."

The SJHS choir has been raising money through their project, Choir for Hire. The students have certainly taken ownership of the fundraising process, already logging over 600 hours collectively in jobs like gardening, raking, painting, cleaning, moving, yard and bake sales, entertaining at weddings, singing telegrams and more. "I think this venture has taught the students about leadership and team work while giving them job experience and confidence," Gallagher said.

MeiLing McVicar has been a member of the choir for two years and says Choir for Hire is "not only a great way to raise money, but also a great way get active in our community." She adds that the best part of being in the choir is "being able to share my love of music with others. Since joining, I have made a lot of good friends. Music is something that really brings people together."

Gallagher says their upcoming trip to New York would not be possible without the support of the community and the staff and alumni of Saint John High School.

"It is such an honour to be invited to this festival and have a chance to compete on an international level, but this trip is about so much more than singing. The students will be wonderful ambassadors of Canada, the Maritimes and of SJHS."

News of the choir's goal has spread throughout the community, and another local singing group has stepped forward to assist in their fundraising efforts. Paul Chamberlain is a charter member with the Men of Fundy, a non-profit organization and barbershop singing group whose accomplishments include purchasing hearing aids for children of less fortunate families.

Said Chamberlain, "We heard about the SJHS choir and wanted to help out, so we asked them if we could host a variety show at their school."

The show, taking place at SJHS on Nov. 29 at 7 p.m., will feature the SJHS Concert Choir, the Men Of Fundy and the River Valley Chorus, the Rotary Girls Choir and more. All proceeds from the concert will go towards the SJHS choir.

"We are so grateful for their interest in us. The Men of Fundy are such an inspiration to our youth who realize that choral singing can become a life long passion," Gallagher said.

Soo Min Park, a senior at SJHS and a first soprano in the choir, can't wait for the chance to perform in the Big Apple.

"The part of the trip I'm most excited for is to be onstage at the Lincoln Center, the bright lights shining on our faces. I am looking forward to a great trip and a great experience with my friends."

Tickets for the upcoming variety show are only $10. For tickets call 849-2526 or purchase directly at Saint John High School, Morris Music on Rothesay Ave., or Kennebecasis Drugs in Rothesay.