Imagine… 35 singers in a hostel, singing their hearts out for a captive audience of weary travelers from around the world. Despite the dichotomy of Ontarians and Albertans singing African songs while wearing their pajamas in front of snow covered mountains, the experience was fully enjoyed by choristers and audience alike.  This was only one of the many opportunities the Guelph Youth Singers had to share their musical masterpieces with fellow Canadians. Through an exchange sponsored by SEVEC, the Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada, the Edmonton Children’s Choir and the Guelph Youth Singers had the opportunity to build new friendships, explore new lands and build cultural connections throughout Canada.
Our choir was warmly welcomed by the Edmonton Children’s Choir who had visited us in early April, and upon arrival, we enjoyed a lovely evening of rehearsal and fellowship. Early the next day, we departed for Jasper. While in Jasper we took in the magnificence of the Rocky Mountains, visited the world famous Columbia Icefields, hiked, and performed in a quaint church in downtown Jasper.
During our time in Edmonton, we enjoyed a thrilling day at West Edmonton Mall’s indoor waterpark and also went time-travelling through Edmonton’s history at Fort Edmonton Park. Although these opportunities were fun, rehearsing and performing for new audiences was a highlight. We had concerts for young and old—a gym full of school children and a mixed audience of people who came out for a benefit concert sponsored by GANG. The Grandmothers for A New Generation raise funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation in support of Grandmothers and Grandchildren in Africa who are affected by the HIV AIDS epidemic. The concert was a huge success, with the finale being a set of African music and movement taught to us by Scott Leithead, an Edmonton-based conductor and composer. While in Ontario, the Edmonton Children’s Choir and Guelph Youth Singers put on a concert for Guelph’s chapter of GOGO GrandMothers, also raising funds and awareness for this worthwhile cause. What an opportunity to unite young and old, east and west, Canada and Africa through the gift and power of music!

Not only was it thrilling to be able to visit a new part of Canada, it was also a wonderful opportunity to build connections with fellow musicians. Our choir grew closer through friendships and through music. It was such an enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Music is such a special gift, and to be able to work with so many talented and inspired singers is a novelty I truly treasure. As Paul McCartney once said,   “I love to hear a choir. I love the humanity, to see the faces of real people devoting themselves to a piece of music. I like the teamwork. It makes me feel optimistic about the human race when I see them cooperating like that.” What a highlight to experience this power with the 60 choristers of Edmonton and Guelph!

Heather Buisman