Vision of Peace Youth Choir Visits Victoria

Recently the “Vision of Peace Youth Choir” made a performance trip to Vancouver Island. Vision of Peace is a Russian choir involving students ranging from Grade 8 to college. After finally raising enough money thanks to the support of family, friends and sponsors, the Choir had an opportunity to perform with the Victoria Choir and make a CD. The Vision of Peace singers arrived in Victoria on March 20 where the rest of the weekend was to be filled with long practices, activities and the concert performance/CD recording with the Victoria choir.

After arriving Friday night, the Choir had a joint practice with the Victoria Choir. The next morning there was a tour of the Royal BC museum followed by a walk along the harbour. If you have never been to this museum before you are crazy! I highly recommend it; it’s just blooming with Canadian history. We then visited the Victoria ‘Royal London Wax Museum,’ this too was so amazing. The figures looked so real, I could even see veins in their arms. After our busy morning, it was time for another joint practice and than off to perform and record the CD.

Later that evening, a concert called “United in Song” was held at St.Aiden’s church. There was a full house with approximately 400 people attending this performance. After hours of practice since the beginning of the school year, we were hoping it would pay off. And it did, as we received a standing ovation and tore down the house. The Choir is anxiously awaiting the release of our CD, and would like to thank all our supporters.

On Sunday morning the Choir went to the “Interfaith Chapel” of UVIC for our molenya (a prayer service) with the Victoria group. After molenya we returned back to St.Aiden’s church for a Russian dinner held by the Victoria choir. Following dinner and another brief practice, we invited the Victoria Choir to come with us the massive “Crystal Pool.”

The next morning we visited the Victoria Parliament buildings where we were given a tour of the BC Legislature where we were introduced to Katrine Conroy and several other members of parliament. Soon after our tour, we left Victoria to catch our ferry and begin our twelve hour journey back to Castlegar.

This trip was an amazing experience, and the Vision of Peace Youth Choir wishes to thank all our supporters, choir members, choir leaders, family and friends. We are so grateful; we couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you so much for letting us spread our music of peace!