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$16,000 raised for the Ottawa Food Bank

Big Soul Project produced and performed their annual Christmas Concert at Carleton Dominion Chalmers Centre after 3 years of pandemic closures. The theme "Let's Celebrate!" was aptly named for everyone, choir, band, and audience alike, as we all felt very joyous during and after both the open dress rehearsal and the full concert.

Funds were raised within the choir to welcome guests to our concert who might not have otherwise been able to attend and we were so pleased they could share this joyful event with us.

This year we are thrilled to announce that between the two concerts BSP was able to raise $8,000 for the Ottawa Food Bank which was matched by an anonymous donor bringing the total to $16,000!! A reason to celebrate indeed.

We are looking forward to the next season and the opportunity to sing for other good causes in the Ottawa area. Hope to see you there!

Singin’ in the Sun and the Rain!

Posted on July 9, 2017

Big Soul Project sang at Lansdowne Park again this summer in what has become an annual tradition for our choir. This year, to mark Canada’s 150th anniversary, a group of about 80 singers, along with Deep Groove Band, Music Director Roxanne Goodman and special guest Michael Hanna, performed a free program of Canadian hits. 

Under initially sunny skies, an enthusiastic crowd of about 400 people gathered to enjoy the concert which began with soloist Melanie Barrieau singing and drumming The Honour Song, in recognition of her Mi'Kmaq heritage.

An hour into the program, and just as we were beginning one of our favourite songs - Serena Ryder’s Stompa - the increasingly threatening skies opened up. Despite the rain, we continued to sing and dance while the band played on and audience members donned rain gear and unfurled umbrellas. We managed one more number - Takin' Care of Business - but eventually had to take shelter inside the Aberdeen Pavilion before our encore as the downpour threatened to become a thunderstorm.

In true BSP spirit, volunteers rushed back outside to help the sound technician get all his equipment to safety out of the rain.  

This FREE concert is a great opportunity every year for BSP to give back to the community and celebrate summer. We are always grateful to Lansdowne Park and the City of Ottawa for making it possible for us sing, whatever the weather! 

Photography by Jake Morrison.