The timeless music of the Beatles is being given a new twist this month, as the Victoria vocal ensemble Soundings sing Fab Four hits a capella.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the BeatlesB次元官网网址� last studio album, Abbey Road, and the choirB次元官网网址檚 concerts take place May 24 and 25 in Oak Bay and Sidney.
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Soundings founder and director Denis Donnelly says he hopes the performances will be a celebration of the LiverpudliansB次元官网网址� music. He believes the enduring popularity of the BeatlesB次元官网网址� music is because of the visceral effect it has on listeners.
B次元官网网址淚 grew up with the Beatles and was entranced with them when I heard their music in high school. It was a magical night when I got a copy of Sergeant PepperB次元官网网址檚 [Lonely Hearts Club Band], I was dancing all over the room listening to it over and over again.B次元官网网址�
Over the years, Donnelly has painstakingly crafted a repertoire of Beatles songs, and thought the 50th anniversary of Abbey Road would be the perfect time to perform them. The 26-voice Soundings ensemble spend months memorizing words and practising, and the two May dates will form the groupB次元官网网址檚 summer season.
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Some of the longer songs will be accompanied by the Cascadia String Quartet, but the majority of songs will be sung a capella.
Donnelly, who received a lifetime achievement award from the BC Choral Federation in 2010, believes there is a power to vocal ensemble music, B次元官网网址淚 think thereB次元官网网址檚 a greater connection with the audience, a more direct and stronger bond.B次元官网网址�
Soundings plan to sing a few old favourites mixed with lesser known numbers. These include Julia, which John Lennon wrote for his mother, If I Fell and Mean Mr Mustard. The songs will cover Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison led songs.
Donnelly was part of the first intake of students to Sidney Elementary school and he sees the Mary Winspear Centre concert as a homecoming of sorts.
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B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really happy weB次元官网网址檙e performing at Mary Winspear, IB次元官网网址檓 a Brentwood Bay resident and grew up in Sidney so IB次元官网网址檓 really happy to be performing there.B次元官网网址�
Soundings has been going for 18 years and currently has 26 members. The group like to keep their numbers under 30 to maintain the intimate nature of their performances but say anyone interested in joining should visit .
The May 24 performance will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre in Oak Bay High School. For tickets email tickets@soundsingsmusic.ca. The May 25 show is at 7:30 p.m. in the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney. For tickets phone 250-656-0275.
nick.murray@peninsulanewsreview.com
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