With sights set on travelling to Powell River this summer, Hangzhou Aiyue Tianshi Choir will no doubt infuse International Choral Kathaumixw with the fun and laughter of 60 children ranging in age from 10 to 16 years.
The young age of participants belies an extensive resumé of acclaim. Since the choir was founded in 1999, it has won numerous prizes in nationwide and international choral competitions. It was awarded gold in the third Choir Olympics in 2004 and also received the Palm in the eighth Golden Gate International Choral Festival in 2009. In 2010, the choir became champions at Festival Internacional de Música de Cantonigros of Spain.
As the children prepare for the trip, they may wonder where they will be staying. Joyce Wolfe is assisting with hospitality for this year’s festival and the Hangzhou choir is proving difficult to find billets for. To look after the entire choir, Wolfe is hoping for about 30 host families.
Host families take in two or three choir members for six days and provide them with breakfast, a bagged lunch and dinner. They also arrange to transport the participants to and from festival activities. The participants become part of the host family and benefit greatly from being shown around the area and learning about life on BC’s west coast.
“Most people who take them just have a wonderful experience and many keep in touch,” said Wolfe. “Quite a few have gone visiting them overseas. It is an opportunity for us to show them our culture and share our love and warmth to them.”
It doesn’t matter whether host families have children of a similar age to members of the choir, said Wolfe. Also travelling with the children will be chaperones, the conductor, Zhou Weiping, and an accompanist.
Located in Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang Province, the choir has been reputed as one of the most renowned children’s choirs in China. Anybody wishing to find out more about hosting members of the choir can contact Wolfe directly at 604.485.9132 or call Powell River Academy of Music 604.485.9633.
