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REMEMBRANCE: Longtime chorus pays tribute in Langley Remembrance concert

The theme for this year is "We'll Meet Again" for the Remembrance concerts by First Capital Chorus

First Capital Chorus has gone Canadiana with its Remembrance concert on Thursday, Nov. 7 in Langley. It also has the show Nov. 9 in White Rock.

"The whole theme of the show is Canadiana. Every act, three acts in the show has Canadian content," explained Derek Sanft, the show organizer. "The two headline performers are going to have some Canadian content, and the readings that we have in the middle are both Canadian content."

With the theme of We'll Meet Again, the concert features about 20 members of the Langley-based chorus performing about two-dozen songs from different eras, starting with the First World War and going right up to more contemporary music. The music will include "Hymn to Freedom" by Canadian pianist Oscar Peterson as well as Vera Lynn's "We'll Meet Again."

The shows are to honour Canadians military members who died in conflicts as well as veterans.

"There is such a rich heritage in Canada of fighting services, and the way that they've served us and the world," Sanft commented.

The concerts are also an opportunity for older residents who often can no longer attend the outdoor services at local cenotaphs.

"It is the songs that they enjoy, the songs that they like," he said.

Sanft said he wanted a Canadiana emphasis, because there isn't enough pride shown in this country and its people.

Each year the concerts have special guests. This year in Langley that includes the three women who make up the UppaTones, Memory Lane which is a six-member group of First Capital Chorus members, and Boris Krasovec, the current president of the chorus.

As well, there will be readings, of "In Flanders Fields" and the poem "High Flight" by John McGee, a Second World War RCAF flyer. It will be read by a member, Bill Findlay, who was an RCAF member.

Active military personnel and veterans are admitted for free. They see the ticketing agent at the door. Tickets are $25 for the general public, available at eventbrite.ca or Westland Insurance in Willowbrook Mall. Organizers can check tickets in at the main entrance with a QR code on a printed ticket, an electronic ticket, or by ticketholders giving their names at the door.

The public can see the chorus at Willoughby Church, 20525 72 Ave., on Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. or at St. Mark’s Anglican Church, 12953 20 Ave., on Nov. 9 at 2 p.m.

The chorus started in 1970, and currently about half of the two-dozen members are from Langley and half from Surrey. Men and women are invited to join and can check out the practices which are Thursdays from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Willoughby Church. Learn more on the group's Facebook page.

This will be the 27th time the group has done a Remembrance concert. Sanft noted that in addition to being a chorus, First Capital is also a registered charity. Proceeds from performances such as the upcoming Remembrance events, private events, and other ticketed events are distributed back to the community. The main beneficiaries have been food banks and Christmas bureaus.

"In the last 25 years, we've donated over $100,000 to charity," he said.

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Vancouver Orpheus Male Choir

The Vancouver Orpheus Male Choir’s We Remember concert is on Monday, Nov. 11 at St. Andrew's Anglican Church, 20955 Old Yale Rd. The concert runs 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. with an intermission. Adult tickets are $28. Youth tickets are $17.31. Children 12 and younger are admitted free. Get tickets through vancouverorpheus.org or eventbrite.ca (event 1023108704677).



Heather Colpitts

About the Author: Heather Colpitts

Since starting in the news industry in 1992, my passion for sharing stories has taken me around Western Canada.
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