It’s raining in Grande Prairie – raining opportunity that is.

As members of the Grande Prairie Boys’ Choir prepare to participate in the International Boys and Men’s Choral Festival, two of the choir’s members are all smiles.

Ryan Thibeault and Jonathan Soles are both heading to Arizona along with other senior members of the local award winning choir.  Originally, both boys were unable to go due to financial restraints and Thibeault stated that he was quite “bummed out” about not being able to join his team mates on this opportuity.  However, an anonymous sponsor has graciously offered to cover the outstanding portion of the cost that both Thibeault and Soles needed to come up with.  “I’m so grateful” said an enthusiastic Thibeault, “I never thought I would be able to do anything like this!”

Boys’ Choir members have been fundraising to participate in the event which will have them showcased in public performances taking place in Flagstaff, Tucson and Mesa over an 8 day period.  The GP Boys’ Choir will join other boys’ and mens’ choirs from North America to be tutored, inspired and conducted by renowned conductors and clinicians.  “It’s going to be a great educational experience” stated Thibeault, “we are going to be taking part in a class on how to sing Barbershop style.”  In addition to the songs they have previously prepared, the local boys need to be ready to competently fine tune several new pieces of music for the performances. The participating choirs are also scheduled to take a sight seeing trip to the Grand Canyon which Soles says he is “looking forward to”.

Exposure to the famed stage doesn’t end there either.  Prior to jetting off to Arizona, the Boys’ Choir will share stage time with vocal sensation The Canadian Tenors.  This once in a lifetime experience will happen during the sold-out Dan Akroyd Family & Friends Dinosaur Ball taking place on July 23 in Grande Prairie as a fundraiser for the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum.  Visit the Grande Prairie Boys’ Choir at www.gpboyschoir.org.