Singing all that’s sacred

published by Asianpost on Fri, 12/21/2007 - 15:53

By Angela Lee

Members of the Vancouver Oratorio Society know there’s nothing scary about singing sacred music – unless you have to do it in different languages.

“We’ve been singing sacred Christian works in their original language for sixteen years,” says the choir’s vice chairperson, Emily Wong.

Sure, it would be less daunting to sing translated pieces, but it just wouldn’t be the same, says Wong.

“The composers choose the perfect lyrics to fit their music. If you were to translate a song from Chinese [into English], for example, it would feel totally different.”

The choir goes to great lengths to ensure the message is not lost on audiences, though. At each performance, English translations are projected onto screens and printed in the programs.

While the make-up of the 70-member choir is 99 per cent Asian Canadian, it didn’t stop it from bringing down a packed house last summer with its rendition of John Rutter’s popular Latin classic, Gloria, and An-Lun Huang’s Easter Cantata in Mandarin.

Under the baton of 85-year-old Frank Huang and several guest conductors, the chorus performs two concerts a year – at Christmas and in June- and has performed pieces in Italian, German and English.

For those up for the challenge, the Vancouver Oratorio Society is holding auditions for new members Mon Jan 7, 2008 at Pilgrim Baptist Church (6075 Inverness St). Candidates will need to show they can read music and keep time, and may be asked to perform a piece – in whatever language they choose. It’s $20 to audition, $40 a year to join, and books and music are an additional $25.

For more info, visit www.vancouveroratorio.org or call 604-645-6761.