If you live in Castlegar’s downtown area, don’t be surprised if you’re woken up to a lively choir on May 1.
The Twin Rivers Chorale Society will be celebrating May Day in style — complete with a maypole.
“The music for May Day is so wonderful,” said Sarah Currie, the choir’s artistic director. “It’s all about spring.”
The concert kicks off at 7 a.m. in Spirit Square outside city hall. Yes, it’s early, Currie said, but it’s part of the May Day tradition.
"It's tradition in England to wake up at the crack of dawn and sing,” she explained.
Songs will include O Canada and God Save the Queen, as well as springtime songs.
“It’s going to be festive,” Currie said.
Jan DeBruyn, a resident of Castle Wood Village, wrote a song called “Castlegar, Our Town.” The choir will sing it’s premiere on May 1.
“It’s wonderful,” Currie said, adding that DeBruyn, a retired English professor from UBC, is an excellent writer and also wrote an anthem for Castle Wood.
A fiddler and bagpiper will also be present for musical accompaniment.
After the choir finishes singing, everyone is welcome for a breakfast at the Legion, which will include coffee, tea, fruit and pastries.
On May 6, the choir will come together again for their “Spring Howl” at New Life Assembly.
“We’ll be doing a number of spring pieces,” Currie said.
The concert starts at 7 p.m. and is free to attend. There will be desserts, coffee and tea to follow.
The Twin Rivers Chorale Society has been together for less than a year.
"We were given the community initiatives grant last fall so we started,” Currie said. “We meet on Thursdays in the basement of St Peter’s Lutheran church.”
Anyone who wants to join can, and the ages vary from mid-20s to elderly.
"It's a really true community choir.”
You don’t have to know how to read music to join, either, Currie said.
Practices take place from 7 to 8 p.m.
For more information on the society or any of the upcoming performances, call Currie at 250-304-2529.