Local community choir, Blossom Valley Singers, capped off its spring 2025 season with concerts on April 26 and 27.
“We were extremely pleased with the outcome,” said president Micah Wassink. “The cold & flu season this year gave us a really rough start, with so many absent singers through the first half and a very sick director too.”
Nonetheless, she says, hard work pays off and the concert was very well received by an always appreciative Creston audience.
“We’re especially hearing so much great feedback for the big, anthemic Italian piece we did (Sogno di Volare), in Italian," she adds. “We love that (director Laura Johnson) feels she can challenge us in this way. And people are really enjoying the effort we’re making to feature other guests, too.”
Among them was a group of kindergarten and Grade 1 students from Adam Robertson Elementary School. Teacher (and choir member) Jennifer Gardner led the class through their rendition of This Little Light of Mine, to the delight of the entire audience, and then they joined with the whole choir for a second run-through, closing out the first half together with a jubilant, uplifting finish. Other guests included 13-year-old piano student, Riaan Gerber, who performed an original piece he composed two years ago, and Circle of Strings (a harp trio made up of Gail Southall, Caroline Martin, and Glenda Graham).
The choir also took this opportunity to announce its contribution to the Creston Auditorium Society’s fund-raising efforts to earn the over $100,000 needed to replace the aging lighting system in the Kootenay River Theatre.
Wassink explains that the primary source of revenue for the choir comes from the audience when they buy tickets to the concerts.
“So, we’re always very conscious of what we do with that money," said Wassink. "We do save for our own needs – such as new equipment (like the risers and soundshell), to buy new music, or for the $1,000 Lillian Griffith that is given to a deserving high school graduate each year. But this is an opportunity to support not just our own needs, but those of our fellow users of the theatre, too. We all contribute to the vibrant cultural buffet this community offers, and we all depend on this performance venue.”
On behalf of the choir and its loyal audience, Wassink presented a cheque for $5,000 to Creston Auditorium Society president Jason Smith, with heart-felt thanks for all the theatre adds to the rich life of the Creston Valley.
The non-audition choir starts its fall season in mid to early September, preparing for its annual Christmas concert, and always welcomes new members. Tenors and basses are always in high demand! For information or to contact the choir, go to blossomvalleysingers.com or email to bvscreston@gmail.com.
