Fraser Valley Children’s Chorus to hold fundraising concert Saturday for World Choir Games in New Zealand

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CHILLIWACK — The Fraser Valley Childen’s Chorus will hold a special concert this weekend as it fundraises for its upcoming trip to represent Canada at the World Choir Games this summer in New Zealand.

The special concert, entitled “Love Train”, features songs of love from around the world. The concert happens Saturday, June 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Yarrow United Mennonite Church, 4336 Eckert Street in Yarrow. Tickets are $15 each.

Director Heidi Epp oversees the talented roster of approximately 25-30 members of the FVCC, of which 11 performers from its cantabile choir (youth division) will be representing Canada at the World Choir Games. The group is set to leave Canada on July 10, arrive in New Zealand July 12, and participate in the World Choir Games as one of two choirs from Canada. It will also participate in the Festival Choir, an assembled international choir that will sing in the closing ceremonies on July 20.

More than 11,000 singers from over 30 countries will arrive in Auckland this July for the World Choir Games, the largest choral competition and festival on the planet. In addition to the performances, there will be workshops, ceremonies, evening performances and free daytime concerts as part of a “sumptuous two-week feast of music.”

The cost per performer to travel to New Zealand is $5,500, Epp said.

“We have been caught by two things: flights have jumped and our Canadian dollar against the euro is terrible,” Epp said.

Locals are invited to come the concerts and make a generous donation, or donate by transfer to fvccup@gmail.com and leave us a memo donation for the tour.

Visit Fraser Valley Children’s Chorus on Facebook for more information about the local youth performers.