Edmonton, Alberta may seem a world away from Pretoria, South Africa, but a musical connection from these two capital cities is making its way to the Vernon stage Monday, April 25.
The award winning Kokopelli Youth Choir from Alberta’s capital is bringing the internationally acclaimed University of Pretoria Youth Choir (UPYC) to present a vibrant musical experience with more than 100 voices at the Vernon Performing Arts Centre.
The event is the last concert of the North Okanagan Community Concert Association’s (NOCCA) 2015-16 season.
“Kokopelli is celebrating its 20th season this year and brings the UPYC to showcase African music and share a vocal extravaganza of interwoven melodies and cultural understanding from around the world that will entertain and delight all those lucky enough to have a ticket to this performance,” said NOCCA president Paul Maynes.
Composed of singers aged 14 to 23, Kokopelli is considered an ambassador for its six-choir association and has received numerous awards for its work with youth, music education and the African Projects Fund.
In 2015, Kokopelli won both the National Music Festival and the Canadian Competition for amateur choirs (mixed youth choir category).
The UPYC’s April tour in Canada with Kokopelli will showcase African music. While in the country, the choir will also headline at three international festivals as the feature performer.
Established in 2001 and conducted by Lhente-Mari Pitout since 2005, the group forms part of the multi-choir model of the University of Pretoria in South Africa’s capital, and has achieved numerous accolades both locally and internationally over the years.
“I don’t think it’s possible to hear UPYC and not come away feeling better about the world,” said Scott Leithead, Kokopelli’s artistic director. “Their spirit, their optimism, and their wonderful music go straight to your heart.”
Leithead serves as the vice chairman of the choral/vocal division for MusicFest Canada and is a longtime member of the advisory committee for the Canadian Rocky Mountain Music Festival. He also sits on numerous national boards and conducts and adjudicates internationally.
He will be conducting the festival mass choir of 1,000-plus voices at the 2016 International Kathaumixw Festival in Powell River in July.
Opening for the choirs will be students of the Okanagan Indian Band Cultural Immersion School. They will be wearing newly designed regalia to perform a Syilx opening prayer and the Okanagan Song.
“This evening of music and inspiration promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that celebrates the cultural diversity of the North Okanagan as well as that of our country and the world,” said Maynes.
Tickets for the April 25 concert, which starts at 7 p.m., are available at the Ticket Seller box office, 250-549-7469, www.ticketseller.ca. Visit www.nocca.ca for more information.