Ambitious Young People!
Occasionally, one will attend a concert so fulfilling, that it contrasts with any concert in one’s memory. Last night’s Fountainview Academy’s performance in British Columbia’s White Rock Baptist Church sanctuary was that outstanding. Anyone who attended on Saturday night was talking about it excitedly after church on Sunday morning.
The group consisted of 85 musicians, both vocalists and instrumentalists of highest caliber. They completely filled the stage to overflowing. Gifted and disciplined individuals played violins, cellos, double bass, oboe, tubular bells, French horns, flutes, saxophones, trombones, clarinets, trumpets, a tuba, piano and harpsichord. Combined with the mixed choir, they delivered some unforgettable music. Hymns were animatedly enunciated, and conveyed their sacred messages.
Students and staff wrote all the arrangements and orchestrations. The songs were favourite familiar hymns. Some of the captivating hymns were, “Amazing Grace,” “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go,” and “Wonderful Words of Life,” accompanied by the fullness of a well balanced, precisely directed symphony orchestra. Softly played, smooth transitions between hymn arrangements made those interludes reverential, spiritual moments, when ovation wasn’t appropriate, while in the latter half of the program, appreciative acknowledgments after each rendition were made by the audience of several hundred.
Music students from all over the world attend Fountainview Academy. I spoke with several. One young lady was from Minnesota. Others were from Spokane Washington, New Zealand, British Columbia, Norway and Iceland. The Academy is located in Lillooet, BC, amongst beautiful mountainous scenery. Their email address is, music@fountainview.ca Recorded music, entitled, “Steps to Christ in Song,” is available. Their CD’s were selling like hot cakes at the concert.
We were informed that this group of musicians travels considerable distances to perform, one excursion being to the southernmost part of California. I noticed their conveyances included two big buses and a trailer.
The music was both familiar and enjoyable. Personally, I have arranged many hymns in hymnbooks for the bagpipes, which I have shared with pipers as The Church Piper. I reflect on how lovely it would be if a pipe band of this size could similarly perform for concerts across North America, playing and singing the great old hymns. Maybe someday one will.
