A number of Eclectica Community Choir members are joining the Prince George Symphony Orchestra for a performance organizers describe as “one of the largest and most significant musical projects ever undertaken in our region.”
Barbara Hooper is one of eight Eclectica singers who have been rehearsing “Ode to Joy,” a popular piece in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
They are part of a mass choir – joined by the Prince George Cantata Singers, the Smithers Festival Choir and a quartet of soloists – accompanying the orchestra for the performance on Nov. 23 at Vanier Hall in Prince George.
“It's pretty exciting,” says Hooper. “It's a very difficult piece. We've been getting together regularly to practice before we go up there to practice with the larger choir. The bass is very low. The soprano is higher than I ever sung in my life. Not only is the piece very difficult musically, the tempo is so fast.”
And it's in German.
Luckily for Hooper and co., Chrishane Nauen is singing with them. German is her first language and she's been helping the group with their pronunciation.
“Every time we do it we feel a little bit better about it,” Hooper says.