oys Choir comes of age THE B.C. BOYS Choir is looking for a few good voices. The choir offers local boys and young men a unique chance to combi a love of music with the Opportunity to travel locally, na- tionally and internationally. The choir, the only four-part, non-religious boys’ choir on the continent, is celebrating a 20-year anniversary this year. The group was founded in 1968 by musical director Donald Forbes. The choir’s repertoire draws from classical, folk and contemporary music styles, A long-standing favorite with the Dutch, the choir will be touring Holland for the 10th time in 20 years this. July. ‘The choir has built up a real following over there. Audiences in Holland average 700 per concert. From hearing people speak, we seem to get a much better attendance than the Vienna Boys Choir over there,”’ -said. B.C. Boys Choir president Anne Brailey. . The group has performed overseas in 21 countries including Britain, Russia. and West Ger- many. ‘‘When. they go overseas, they become great ambassadors of our youth,” she said. In Canada the choir has appeared coast to coast as well as touring extensively throughout the province. Brailey said while the choir membership currently stands at 34, the ideal number is 40. New recruits should have a sincere in- terest in music, good pitch and should be prepared to commit the weekly time necessary to practice. ‘‘Musical experience is not neces- sary,”’ Brailey said. The choir members are dedicated, putting in two-hour By MICHAEL B News Reporter practice sessions three times a week at St. David’s Church in West Vancouver and extra practice time prior to concerts. Choir members range in age from cight to 24 years old. ‘‘By age cight they're usually pretty good music readers. At the other end of the scale, by 24 they're usually pretty busy with the rest of their lives,’ Brailey said. While 19 of the current members live on the North Shore, boys come to choir rehearsals in West Vancouver from all over the Lower Mainland. The members represent a number of different schools and occupations. For example, two of the older North Shore members work in restaurants. Jim Graham, a choir member for the past JO years, is a waiter at The Swan in West Vancouver. Baritone soloist Todd Redmond is employed as a singing waiter at a new Gastown restaurant called Kicks. Another 10-year member, David Maxwell, is a student at Capilano College. He added his voice to the choir, following in his older brother’s footsteps. Drawn to the group by an interest in music and travel, Maxwell also enjoys the pure cameraderie of belonging to a group sharing common interests and experiences. ‘‘It becomes a central part of your life, like your family,’’ Maxwell said. Ten-year-old Kieran Moore of North Vancouver heard the choir sing just over a year ago at Park Royal and decided to try for membership so that he too might share the joy in making people See Choir & peop CHRISTINE Has her own place! You can visit her at CHRISTINE’S ELECTROLYSIS #8-636 CLYDE, WEST VAN (near Park Royal) 925-4131 HOURS: Tues-Sat, 10-6 pm, Closed Mon. 33 ~ Wednesday, Februrury 24, 1988 - North Shore News PAGE 34 NEWS photo Tom Burtey THE B.C. BOYS Choir is iooking to add a few fresh voices to the singing group. lan DeLong, 12, David Maxwell, 20, musical director Donald Forbes, and nine-year-otd Kieran Moore join in song at a recent practice session held at St. David's United Church in West Vancouver. The choir has drawn a membership from all over the Lower Maintand. For Collision and Comprehensive through the IRWIN & BILLINGS insurance acency (A DIVISION OF VINCENT, STEWART & VINCENT LTD.) 1. You may save money. 2. Six month policies available 3. NO INTEREST payment plan Extended Hours Friday February 26TH, 9-9 : Saturday 27th, 9-6 Sunday 28th, 11-3 : Monday 29th 9-9 Serving the North Shore for over 80 years 1900 LONSDALE, N.VAN. 988-1148