How will you mark Canada's sesquicentennial? How about with music? The Paisley Concert Choir invites you to celebrate Canada's 150th Birthday with its "Sing of Canada" concert. The concert program features songs that tell the story of our country and pay tribute to the workers that helped build it.

Performances take place Friday May 26th 7:30pm in Hanover, Saturday May 27th 2:00pm in Owen Sound, and Sunday May 28th 7:30 pm in Paisley. Under the direction of Linda Finlay, the 43 voice mixed choir, will perform music from folk to classical, with some patriotic songs and a little humour in the mix.

Anthems and patriotic songs, that celebrate the natural beauty and national pastime of this glorious country we call home, are featured in the first part of the program, including: O Canada; Gordon Lightfoot's epic Canadian Railroad Trilogy and The Hockey Song. The final section of the program focuses on folk songs composed by east coast song writers and includes, Rita McNeil's Working Man, the unofficial anthem of coal miners everywhere, and We Rise Again, made popular by the Rankin Family.

Sandwiched in the middle, audiences will enjoy a total change of pace from classical through jazz to a modern world-beat sound. Featured works include: Gloria from Mozart's 12th Mass; Rhapsody in Rhythm, a tricky little jazz medley of Gershwin tunes and Sing for Peace - an international call for peace.

Audience members will have two opportunities to sing along with the choir to well known tunes. Four additional songs, by soloists or small groups from the choir, round out the program. As a special treat, on Sunday night in Paisley, the glee club from Paisley Central School, under the direction of Allison McLeod, will perform four songs. The songs are by current Canadian artists including: Wavin' Flag by K'naan and Scars to Your Beautiful, an inspirational song for the youth of the area by Alessia Cara.

So put on your red and white, round up your friends, neighbours and children, warm up your voice, buy your tickets and come celebrate the 150th birthday of Canada with a very special program of music.

Tickets are available from choir members or at the door before each concert. Tickets are $15. Children 18 years and younger are free.

For additional details visit our website: www.thepaisleyconcertchoir.com or find us on Facebook.

 

- by Jim Pennington