The Barkley Sounds Choir will give an ode to Port Alberni and Canada’s 150th birthday during their annual spring concert on Sunday, April 23.
The choir’s show, Good Times, Good Music, Good Memories, includes two songs written by member Val Geist who has highlighted aspects of the Alberni Valley. One of the songs, put to music by Phil Wallbank, is called Ultimate Fishing Town and the other, Salmon Fishing in Port Alberni, which choir manager and founding member Sylvia Springer says is quite humorous.
“People are going to like it,” she said.
A $1,000 grant from the City of Port Alberni has helped the choir in making the original music and advertise for the upcoming show.
“We’re really promoting that this is the choir’s contribution to the City of Port Alberni with these two pieces of music,” Springer said.
In addition to the choir, the show will include strings, drums, a bass player, musician Dennis Olsen and Phil’s Harmonics.
“We really put on a full program and they’re all local people,” Springer said. “It’s going to be fun, this is our contribution to the amalgamation of the two Albernis and 150 years of Canada.”
Springer said the choir has evolved since its inception in 2000. “We’re getting older but we’re getting better,” she laughed.
“We learn our music faster and we enjoy ourselves. We enjoy each other’s company, we have fun.”
Barkley Sounds puts on two shows a year: a Christmas show and a end-of-season performance—this year happening on Sunday, April 23 at the ADSS theatre at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are $12 and available at Echo Centre, Salmonberry’s, the Rollin Art Centre and at the door.