United voices

The Olympic torch is uniting more than sports fans across the country. In Clarenville, the relay is uniting voices.

Ann Lundrigan directed a ladies chorale, formed especially for the Olympic Torch relay celebration in Clarenville.

When she got the call in September looking for a local choir to perform, she didn't hesitate.

"I didn't really have a choir, but I said 'We can form one'!" Lundrigan is a music teacher, but is on educational leave from the classroom this term to work on her Master's.

"I sent out a bunch of e-mails through a few ladies who I knew were keen on singing," she says. Fifty-three answered the call.

For five weeks, the women - ages 15 to 68 - have met twice a week to learn There's a light/Cette Flame by Canadian composer Gregory Charles.

The song was written especially for the torch relay.

"The choral arrangement is really hard," says Lundrigan.

"As a piece of music, if you were going to grade songs, this one is well up there. It's an advanced piece of music. The harmonies and the rhythms are difficult."

But the ladies stepped up to the challenge.

"They've learned a very difficult song," says Lundrigan. "I'm so impressed with them.

The majority don't read music, and the majority of them have not sung in choirs for a very long time."

Lundrigan had the option of choosing a simpler arrangement, where all parts sing in unison.

"I could have, but that's no fun," she laughs. Instead, she is directing a challenging three-part harmony "It's been a riot, we've spent more time laughing."

The ladies were joined on stage by tap dancers form Nancy Standford's School of Dance. The Clarenville Middle School choir also performed.

Balbo Elementary boy's choir were scheduled to perform, but cancelled their performance when members became ill with flu-like symptoms.

That's a fate Lundrigan was glad to avoid.

"Knock on wood, none of the ladies have come down with it - we've had sickness through the practices, but we've been lucky."

The best part? The ladies won't stop singing when the torch leaves town. Lundrigan says they hope to keep the group going next year, and come on stronger than ever next September.

To see the Ladies Chorale and the Nancy Standford tap dancers perform at the Olympic Torch ceremony, visit www.thepacket.ca and click on the Video on Demand link.

lbutton@thepacket.ca