Corazón

Here's more info on what Corazón will be doing in the fall. We and several other like-minded choirs will take part in workshops conducted by some very high level people including Jacob Collier and the Pretoria (South Africa) Youth Choir.

On Sept. 8th, members of Corazón assembled on the grass at Lakeside Park in Nelson for a bitter-sweet (very sweet) discussion of the upcoming autumn, in which this will probably be our only in-person gathering. But we will be taking part in the very exciting Bridge Choral Collaborative project online. See the previous post to learn about that.

Announcing our partner choirs! Vancouver Youth Choir Kokopelli Choirs Toronto Youth Choir Prairie Voices Inc. Grand Philharmonic Youth Choir @Corazon Vocal Ensemble

Equality -By Maya Angelou You declare you see me dimly through a glass which will not shine, though I stand before you boldly,... trim in rank and marking time. You do own to hear me faintly as a whisper out of range, while my drums beat out the message and the rhythms never change. Equality, and I will be free. Equality, and I will be free. You announce my ways are wanton, that I fly from man to man, but if I'm just a shadow to you, could you ever understand ? We have lived a painful history, we know the shameful past, but I keep on marching forward, and you keep on coming last. Equality, and I will be free. Equality, and I will be free. Take the blinders from your vision, take the padding from your ears, and confess you've heard me crying, and admit you've seen my tears. Hear the tempo so compelling, hear the blood throb in my veins. Yes, my drums are beating nightly, and the rhythms never change. Equality, and I will be free. Equality, and I will be free.

In this last chapter, Hero/Hope complete the journey and discover another Hero (the enchanting Mélodie Giguère) enveloped in despair having forgotten Hope. Hero/Hope offer the wisdom gained as a boon to the new Hero who must discover how to walk the path on her own. The Ancestors appear briefly from behind the veil between worlds. Hero/Hope depart. Coda: The New Hero remembers a simple gesture of New Hope (Tyler James) and begins her journey. Sending love to all, Allison

If I had to choose, especially now, I think chapter 11, Birdsong 2.0 would be my favourite moment on stage - The voice and body are reunited - Hero and Hope are bound through struggle and despite the awareness of future challenge. The Ancestors surround them in a moment out of time when the veil between the worlds is lifted and all becomes one.

Fans of Don Macdonald 's choral music may recognize this tune...

In this 9th chapter, the Ancestors return. Hero attempts to connect with one then another and another with no response. After feeling sure that the path would b...e clear from here on out, Hero experiences the shock of renewed struggle. As Hero strains against the perpetual motion of the Ancestors, Hero's suffering is as profound as it was at the beginning. Just as despair is beginning to manifest, Hero stops fighting and, channeling all his recollection of gestures of Hope, turns to move in the same direction as the Ancestors. In so doing, all movement slows then stops. The Ancestors leave one by one until at last, Hope is revealed to Hero. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRW09f-d538 See more

Chapter 8 is a little weekend story for you! This features Hiro dancing the choreography of Slava Doval in what became know as, "The Happy Dance". While this wa...s being performed on stage, the members of Lalin were offstage dancing this, too! So sweet. Watch to the end to see The Maker fishing for Hiromoto Ida... After the Fire is a spoken piece that holds the comfort of a parent telling a child a bedtime story except here told to Hero by the voice of Hope at the breaking of dawn. The Maker is referred to by "they/them" pronouns. This story is the acknowledgement of the divine within each of us. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1pXJxGiHtc& See more

Lalin guiding fireflies!

In the 6th chapter, sung in Persian, the voice of Hope reminds Hero of the connection between sky and earth and the power of reflection. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKNr6UVFw5E

Since I have already posted chapter 4, "After the Tremor", it means that today's post will be chapter 5, "Water" - the second element featuring my amazing frien...d, Hiromoto Ida along with Lalin... The Ancestors return. Encouraged by the song of Hope, Hero attempts to engage with the Ancestors but ultimately misconstrues their action as threat. Hero struggles and is then submerged by the elemental force. The Ancestors depart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkkjV-u7KIE See more

Today's post is chapter 3, "Earth" - the first of the elements featuring video footage of my dear friends in Lalin Vocal Ensemble in the roles of The Ancestors.... The Ancestors appear from behind the veil between worlds. Afraid and unable to understand their presence as alliance, the best Hero can do is endure the event until their departure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FneBb92aiho&feature=youtu.be