Valley Winds Music Association (VWMA) kicks off the start of its 22nd performance season in the Bow Valley with a special event featuring the New Zealand Male Choir (NZMC) at Banff Centre’s Rolston Hall on Saturday, (Sept. 26) at 2 p.m.
The concert is part of the New Zealand choir’s Western Canadian tour, which also includes performances in Calgary, Vancouver, Victoria and Sidney, B.C.
The New Zealand Male Choir is an auditioned choir of members from throughout New Zealand, who give their time voluntarily for the joy of singing. The repertoire encompasses a broad range of music that offers entertaining listening as well as challenging the choir members. The choir is led by the team of Robert Auburn, musical director, and Shelley Spang and Judy Barret, accompanists.
“The Valley Winds Music Association is pleased to host the New Zealand Male Choir for the Banff segment of their tour,” said VWMA president, Rob Hudson. “Two of our members, saxophonist Cathy Harrop and tenor Jim Ridley, attended a NZMC concert while visiting New Zealand last fall. They introduced themselves after the concert and spoke about the Valley Winds Choir back home in Canada. A few months later, we received an email asking if we would like to host the NZMC concert at the Banff Centre.
“They are a prestigious group. We are honoured to present NZMC to the Bow Valley and to share the stage with them. This is our first time hosting an international choral group. It sets the stage for welcoming other visiting groups and provides valuable experience for planning trips of our own.”
VWMA consists of a 90-member choir under the musical directorship of Lee Ann Decoteau and Sue Denton, assisted by accompanist Tanya Sullivan, a 30-member concert band consisting of woodwind, brass and percussion instrumentalists under the directorship of Shane Nizinkevich, and a 35-member big band under the directorship of Mark Dejong and Carsten Rubeling.
Seasonal concerts in Banff and Canmore are presented to community groups and to the public. Rehearsals for the big band are on Wednesday evenings, while rehearsals for the concert band are Thursday evenings, both at Canmore Collegiate High School from 7:30-9:30 p.m. New members are welcome throughout the season.
Tickets for the NZMC concert are $25 and may be purchased online at www.valleywindsmusic.org, at O’Canada Soapworks (633 Main St. in Canmore), at Alpine Flower Gallery (229 Bear St. in Banff), or at the door. For more info, please contact us at [email protected].
