High Cs gets an A-plus with audience

The first High Cs in Digby Choral Festival sailed the high seas to a successful finale with the mass choir concert in St. Bernard Church on May 25.

Members of the Kings Chorale from Middleton and Les Voix dans L’Vent from Clare joined voices with Digby’s Fundy Chorale to perform in the festival’s first massed choir concert at the acoustically acclaimed stone church.

Over 120 choristers under the direction of noted chorale conductor Douglas Hale sang such pieces as Michael Praetorius’ Jubilate Deo and Paul Halley’s Song for Canada to an appreciative audience of nearly 400.

Accompanying the choir was the Festival Combo with Fundy Chorale’s director Deirdre Morrell-Ormerod on the piano, Neil Pothier on electric bass and Philip Theriault on drums.

Performance highlights included selections from the Kings Chorale and La Voix dans L’Vent with conductors Bill Perret and Lisette Sieberath, respectively.

Featured soloist was Simone Gaudet of Kings Chorale and flautist Christine Igot of La Voix dans L’Vent. Digby’s Jason McCutcheon took full advantage of the church’s acoustics when he played two trumpet solos with Douglas Hale accompanying him on the piano.

McCutcheon was delighted with the opportunity to play and sing in St. Bernard Church.

“It’s almost like singing in a medieval church in a country somewhere in Europe,” he said. “The acoustics are remarkable in this church and the concert was a wonderful experience.”

“It’s like singing in a castle,” remarked another chorister.

Digby Choral Federation president, Richard Treleaven was soundly applauded when he thanked the audience and hinted that their support could lead to another festival.

“I was delighted with the crowd and their response to the concert was very encouraging for a repeat performance next year,” said Treleaven. “Our goal is 200 voices singing in the St. Bernard Church.”

The concert was the main event of the May 23-25 festival presented by Digby Choral Federation. It was the culmination of the choristers’ weekend embracing local community and church choirs coming together in concert.

The Digby Chorale Federation was created last fall to further choral singing in Digby.

“The federation members agreed to launch a festival that would attract choirs to Digby,” said Treleaven, “And out of it came the name ‘High Cs in Digby’ meaning community and church choirs coming together in concert.”

Treleaven noted that Digby Area Recreation Commission was supportive and helped put out the word for the event. Individuals and businesses provided financial support as well.

The weekend festival consisted of mass choir rehearsals directed by Douglas Hales.

Along with Hales, David Milne, Deirdre Morrell-Ormerod and William Perrot were instructors for the workshops on music reading, vocal technique and conducting.

An opportunity for choristers to roast and toast their conductors was provided during the conductors’ appreciation night at the Pines Saturday evening.

Choral Capers, held in the DRHS Theatre, was open to the public and featured a CD release party for the Bridgewater group Drumlin. Their new CD, ‘Mackerel Skies’ with heritage songs of Nova Scotia was a hit with the audience.

Opening for Drumlin was Digby’s drumming group Kadijah and Friends with a blend of native and West African music.