Valley Honour Choir to Tour Germany and Vienna

Audiences across Germany and Austria will soon delight to the music of one of Nova Scotia's premier youth choirs.

The Annapolis Valley Honour Choir is representing the province at the 27th International Youth and Music Festival in Vienna, Austria from July 11-14. The choir is the only Canadian group that will be attending.

Choir members have been working for over two years to raise the $93,000 needed to cover the costs of the tour. The Department of Education and Culture is funding $6,500 of the costs through the Years of Music Program.

Education and Culture Minister Robbie Harrison saluted the efforts of the choir. "These young people have raised a significant amount of money in order to take part in this festival. We're pleased to be able to support their efforts. They are truly ambassadors for the province, bringing Nova Scotian music and culture to the people of Germany and Austria."

The choir represents 17 communities throughout the Annapolis Valley, including 90 students from grades seven to 12. The choir is part of the instructional music program of the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board.

In addition to taking part in the festival, the choir is performing throughout Austria and Germany. The tour is part of the choir's tenth anniversary celebrations.

The Years of Music is funded through the Canada/Nova Scotia Cooperation Agreement on Economic Diversification. It is managed by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), through Enterprise Cape Breton, and the Nova Scotia Departments of Education and Culture, and Economic Development and Tourism.

NOTE TO EDITORS: The Annapolis Valley Honour Choir will be at the Halifax International Airport tomorrow, Tuesday July 7 around 7 p.m. to leave for their trip to Austria.