In a community hall in Vancouver, circa 1985, a somewhat motley blend of characters arrive for choir rehearsal. There’s Dawn, a blind woman, who sees more than most. Corey, a shy and stuttering tenor keen to join the choir who soon attracts the eye of a curvaceous soprano. Warm-ups, roll call and plenty of comic conflicts ensue as a dozen singers prepare for a national competition. Willie is the well-intentioned director, but his most successful conquests to date are anything but musical – in fact they rival those of Don Giovanni! After various interruptions and a near-fatal duel between rival sopranos, a miracle takes place. The individuals are magically melded into a choir and a world of light, harmony, understanding, and musical perfection. Dawn leads the way in the rousing Finale: Darkness to Delight. Through all the nonsense and Hanky Panky, things come round right!

Artists

Alireza Mojibian (vocals), Katie Miller (vocals), Sheldon Baxter (vocals), William Grossman (vocals), Sierra Campbell (vocals), Duncan Watts-Brown (vocals), Scott Brooks (vocals), Geoffrey Schellenberg (vocals), Rachel Stewart (vocals), Isabella Halladay (vocals), Gwendolyn Yearwood (vocals), Leanne Kaufman (vocals), Jack Foster (vocals), Tamar Simon (vocals)

UBC Symphony Orchestra, UBC Opera Ensemble, Choir Practice Audience, 9 & 11 May 2015, Jonathan Girard