When I emerged from the United Church last Saturday afternoon, my cheeks hurt. That’s because I had just spent 90 minutes grinning from ear to ear as I listened to the sounds of Corazon, Nelson’s youth choir, directed by Allison Girvan. It’s no wonder all three shows were sold out.
I’ve heard — and been wowed by — Corazon before, but what prompted me to catch this concert on a sunny Saturday was an invitation sent to me by manager Bill Metcalfe. In fact, all of Nelson’s cultural ambassadors received an invitation. Corazon was a great choice as Nelson’s first cultural ambassador; Bill and Allison figured they’d take the lead in trying to connect us all in some way. It was a great idea, and no surprise, really, that community-builders such as these should think of it. I hope we can think of other ways to connect this growing group of creative people chosen to represent Nelson.
I hope that the other cultural ambassadors — Angelika Werth and our current ambassador Hiromoto Ida — were able to attend. The gorgeous harmonies and infectious energy of 60-plus young vocalists were not to be missed. It was great to be included in the guest list, but then, Corazon is all about inclusion: for the choir members, giving their best and being a part of something bigger; for their families, who must be proud of all that hard work, dedication and talent; and for the community, who get to witness and celebrate all that youthful energy and sound.
We’re lucky to have Allison in Nelson, with her incredible dedication to music and to community, and we’re fortunate to have this fabulous collection of young talent in our midst. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity, and I’ll be first in line next time for a ticket.
Anne DeGrace
South Slocan