A choral delight, ‘We Are Together’, will be making its way to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church on Nov. 3 for a 2 p.m. collaborative performance.
Erica Phare-Bergh, director of the Cochrane Children’s Choir, is thrilled about the upcoming event, featuring performances by the Alberta Youth Choir (AYC) and Harmony through Harmony (HtH).
“When I was in Montreal, I had the privilege of seeing Scott Leithead (AYC director) in action for our CBC-McGill Youth Gala Concert series,” said Phare-Bergh.
“They’re still speaking about the inspiration that he was for them musically and the joy that he exuded when he directed.”
When Phare-Bergh heard that the AYC, under Leithead’s direction, was on tour in southern Alberta, she didn’t want to miss the opportunity to bring her Cochrane Children’s Choir to the performance.
There is no cost to get in, although freewill offerings are gratefully received and all proceeds will go toward HopeShares in South Africa.
HopeShares Canada provides community-building initiatives through a multi-service centre for those living in the Bhekulwandle township, near Durban, South Africa; the centre focuses on improving the high rates of HIV, unemployment, illiteracy and poverty in the region.
“To make things even more exciting, Harmony through Harmony will be joining the AYC on Nov. 3,” said Phare-Bergh. “So, HtH combined with AYC will be a winning combination and a world-class concert for sure.”
Based on musical excellence, the AYC is Alberta’s honour choir for outstanding vocalists between the ages of 16-22. Director Scott Leithead of the Kokopelli Choir Association is considered one of the leading youth choir conductors in Canada; his style is fused with his passion for African music, based on his extensive work with choirs in South Africa and Namibia.
Harmony through Harmony is a Calgary-based Christian a cappella group, comprised of vocalists in their 20’s and 30’s who use their voices to fight global concerns; human trafficking has been their focus over the last year.
Tori Airhart is the conductor of HtH, under the direction of Beth McLean-Weist.
To learn more about these organizations, visit albertachoralfederation.ca or harmonythroughharmony
.com.
