This year, the GPBC will be selling coupons which will be delivered to your buyers by April 30th. Buyers can then buy plants from Dunvegan Gardens from May 1st to June 15th. Coupons are sold by $20.00 vouchers.

The hanging basket fundraiser is open from April 2nd – May 4th.

There baskets are avaliable in ’shade’ or ’sun’ options. Unfortunately, colour choice is not available. The cost is $40.00 a basket. These basket will be avaliable for pickup before and after the GPBC Final Concert May 6th.

Please make cheques out to “Friends of the Grande Prairie Boys’ Choir”.

To order coupons or a hanging basket, please email jvpernal@gpboyschoir.org

As with each concert that this organization presents, there is always an element of something new that raises the caliber of the show from any of their previous performances. Almost immediately, there were several subtle elements which were noticeable. New lighting gave a warmer more professional ambience. The wider placement and more fluid movement of the Senior boys and Men of Note on the stage during the first selection made a more noticeable presence. The use of a professional writer who weaved thematical elements throughout the show resulted in a more robust and satisfying concert experience. Along with the choir’s pianists who are always incredible, the incorporation of dual violin, dual cello, harp, flute and additional guest instrumentalists were elements that increased the caliber of the performance.

But it was the singing . . .it is always the singing that continues to define the Boys’ Choir as a team who pursues and accomplishes vocal and acoustical marvels.

This was the first performance for twelve Prepatory boys who are to be congratulated on having good pitch, great concentration on their conductor and a wonderfully executed cutoff on the end of “Snowy Flakes”. Very fine for their premier presentation.

The Junior boys were endearing to say the least. They shone during their performance of “Estrella Brillante” showcasing great breath longevity and agility on the sung “alleluia”. One of their highlights was the performance of “When I Was Young”: a retrospect of thirty, cocoa drinking 10 year olds reminiscing about Christmases of past, all in flawless unison. “I remember when I had to walk all the way to the car, to drive to school . . . . “.

Remarkable and memorable!

The Seniors and Men of Note were at the top of their game in this concert and one couldn’t help but melt into acoustical euphoria as they sang “In the Bleak Midwinter”. The Seniors continue to produce great pitch and blending while they perform repertoire that gives them some very noteworthy skill under their belt such as the Chichester Psalms by Bernstein. The Men of Note have become a sort of “pièce de résistance” and one always wonders what they are bringing to the concert each time they step up on stage. In “Repleti Sunt Omnes”, a traditional chant arranged for the choir by Trent Worthington, the soloists and men took vocal and emotional ownership of the piece and wore it like a glove. The lady sitting beside me put it best when she simply uttered “Wow”. The ability of these men and of the Director in successfully carrying out the melodic and harmonic elements of Caccini and Liebergen’s Ave Maria were very apparent and appreciated. The Blue Christmas skit and song was nothing short of marvelous in humor, nostalgia and solo talent.

As is tradition in the annual Christmas show, the concert closes with a congregational sing-a-long followed by the “Dads” joining their sons on stage for a final number. After

10 years of training her “dads” for their Christmas appearances, Director Jeannie Pernal was thrilled to be able to enlist their now “qualified and experienced” capabilities to perform the Hallelujah Chorus by Handel. And what a finale it was! A concert to remember; to Reminisce”.

Concert review by Mary-Ann Lynch

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.

Adults – $18
Students/Seniors – $15
Children under 12 – $12
Family Sunday Matinee – $45

Tickets avaliable @ Shepherd’s Fold, 
9925 100 Avenue Grande Prairie, AB T8V 0V1 
(780) 532-3835
www.shepfold.ca

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR!

Please bring an item for the food bank

All choirs are performing at the GPRC Theatre.

Preps – 6:00 pm
Juniors – 6:20 pm
Seniors – 6:45 pm
Voice Changers – 7:40 pm
MON – 8:10 pm

Adults – $18
Students/Seniors – $15
Children under 12 – $12
Family Saturday Matinee – $45

Tickets avaliable @ Shepherd’s Fold, 
9925 100 Avenue Grande Prairie, AB T8V 0V1 
(780) 532-3835
www.shepfold.ca

Please bring an item for the food bank

Guest conductor: Elise Bradley from the Toronto Children’s Chorus

Tickets are $10.00 each and are available, as usual at Shepherd’s Fold.
9925 100 Avenue Grande Prairie, AB T8V 0V1 
(780) 532-3835
www.shepfold.ca