It was in the year 2009 when Marceline Billis went to Penticton to participate in the Seniors' Chorfest 2009. She loved what she heard and liked what she saw and came back full of enthusiasm. She was convinced that our choir should host the next Seniors' Chorfest in 2011. She was, and still is, the torch bearer of the Seniors' Chorfest 2011. Coming back from Penticton, she immediately started to work. Her first task was to get the agreement of our choir to host such an event. We had a vote and, after a rousing speech by Marceline, the Chorfest won! Next, she had to approach the BCCF - British Colunbia Choral Federation - to win their approval. They gave us the nod - who could resist Marceline's enthusiasm? The Chorfest, however, is not just about singing. In a way, it is to teach various choirs to organize such events as a vehicle to keep singing alive. It is a very important mission.
Choirs, of course, are ready-made pools of talented people from all sorts of life and Marceline did not lose much time to find the right people to fill the various jobs needed and I would like to introduce them to you: Marceline, of course, is the Chair. Her assistant is Mary Fisher, a top notch Secretary. Without a Treasurer, however, we wold not get very far! I don't know how we did it, but we managed to convince Ed Stenson, a person with years and years of experience, to become our Treasurer. Brenda DiRezze is in charge of all matters related to music. Henry Fabritz accepted the job of Public Relations and Communication and Deanne Armstrong was a perfect choice for Registration. I, myself, have taken on the job of Hospitality and Ria Visser is overseeing the task of selling Tickets for the final concert.,
It is two years now since Marceline went to Peachland and brought the torch to us. Over time, we had our ups and downs, but we never lost sight of our common goal: to make this the best Seniors' Chorfest ever! We all wanted it to succeed and, I believe, this attitude is the most important ingredient for success. I hope that there will be someone leaving our Chorfest as enthusiastic about it as Marceline was when she left Peachland.
The Gala Concert takes place at the First Avenue Christian Assembly on Friday, April 15th, 7:30 pm. As mentioned in a previous article, tickets are $10 incl. tax and are easily available from each choir member, at the Shoppers' Drug Mart in Agassiz or at Lang and MacQuade in Chilliwack. Of course, they can also be bought at the door prior to the concert. The concert will be a tribute to all seniors of British Columbia who gather here to learn and sing together - it will be a tribute to life! We all would be delighted to see you there!
For more information on Chorfest 2011, in Harrison Hot Springs and Chilliwack, visit the BC Choral Foundation online.