YouTube Flash Mob Sets New Records With 30 Million Hits and Counting

"Wonderful, it brought me to tears.  Thank you all so much!"

"This brings a smile to my face every time."

".....a staggering gift you gave the world this Christmas, I could never have imagined,
 many thanks."

"This is simply one of the most beautiful and worthwhile things that I have ever seen on YouTube."

"WOW!  That was REALLY WELL SUNG."

"Only one word in my mind - WONDERFUL!"

This is just a sampling of the thousands of comments received by Chorus Niagara in response to its viral flash mob performance of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus on YouTube.  Performed live, on November 13^th, at Welland Ontario's Seaway Mall, and produced by Alphabet Photography as a Christmas greeting to their customers, the YouTube sensation has set records as 'The Most Watched Flash Mob of All Time' with over 30 million hits, and also holds the title of 'The Top Rated Video of All Time' in Canada.

Chorus Niagara, Niagara's premiere 100-voice ensemble has received worldwide attention from the public and media as the flash mob video circles the globe attracting viewers from the United Kingdom, Brazil, Germany, France, Italy, Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, Greece, the United States as well as across Canada.

Robert Cooper, Chorus Niagara's Artistic Director, has been very busy responding to interview requests. "This has been an incredible experience and boon to both Chorus Niagara and the appreciation for the choral art. We are most grateful to Jennifer Blakely, Founder of Alphabet Photography." Cooper says.  St. Catharines Mayor, Brian McMullan echoes his sentiments, "This is such a wonderful made-in-Niagara story.  The flash mob was a brilliant way to spread the Christmas spirit, and the talents and creativity of Chorus Niagara. It's thrilling to see this performance resonate with so many."

 The Choir's YouTube performance has been featured on CTV's Canada AM, CNN, ABC World News, Good Morning America, The View, Inside Edition, eTalk, Fox News, National Public Radio's Here and Now and has also been covered in print by the National Post, LA Times, Toronto Sun, Toronto Star, London Free Press, Hamilton Spectator, Business Review Canada, Niagara News, St. Catharines Standard, The Winnipeg Free Press and Canadian Fundraising and Philanthropy.

Both Messiah concerts on December 11 and 12 were sold out and extra chairs were brought in to accommodate the overflow in Grimsby.  We were delighted to welcome regular patrons as well as many who were attending a Chorus Niagara concert for the first time.  It was gratifying to see so many families and young people enjoying this spectacular Christmas tradition together.  Once again we thank Richard and Cindy  Keirmacz of Chocolates Etc. for generously providing chocolate treats for the reception following the Sunday concert.  Their daughter Ola and son Patrick joined us in singing Messiah along with other members of the Side-by-Side High School Chorale.    

Thanks also to John and Cathy Rollo for their generous support of our soloists and to BBBlooms for the soloist flowers. 

Chorus Niagara will be holding its 5^th annual Singathon Fundraiser this year at, "The most famous food court in the world."   Yes folks... we will be performing our Singathon at the Seaway Mall on Saturday, February 12, 2011 where our YouTube fame all began .
  
 

Come for a free concert with celebrity conductors (many from the Welland area).  Each year we invite several leaders of our community to stand in front of 100 singers and conduct!  Watch with amazement as our Artistic Director, Robert Cooper, gives each celebrity a conducting lesson and enthusiastic encouragement.  We promise also to perform the famous Hallelujah Chorus for the crowds!
   
 

New this year... part of the Singathon will be live web-streamed to the internet, compliments of ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­the Seaway Mall.

And please...this is our annual fundraiser for the choir.  Only through the generous support of the community can we continue to bring you our inspiring music.  If you know a member of Chorus Niagara, you can donate to them personally or through Canada Helps.  If you are not familiar with anyone in the chorus, you can easily donate at  www.canadahelps.org.  Mark your calendar now... 
 

Saturday. February 12
10am to3pm 

Seaway Mall, Welland
 

For many of the CNCC choristers, this past December marked a very exciting milestone - their first performance with a professional orchestra!  CNCC was thrilled to be a guest performer with the Niagara Symphony Orchestra's Christmas Pops concert. Conducted by Niagara native Rosemary Thomson, CNCC performed Bob Chilcott's "Mid-Winter" and a set of Hanukkah pieces by Canadian composer Richard Cohen.  The children were praised for their stage manners, discipline, vocal tone, and exuberant energy on stage. Chorus Niagara is incredibly proud of their youngest choral family members!

Recently the choir held its annual choral retreat at Mount Mary retreat centre in Ancaster, Ontario. The choristers were busily preparing repertoire for their upcoming concert, "Connections," featuring music from Karl Jenkins, Eleanor Daley, Donald Patriquen, and a choreographed African folk song arranged by Scott Leithead.

"Connections"
 

Silver Spire Church, St. Catharines
 

Saturday February 26, 2011 @ 7 p.m.
 

CNCC will be holding auditions for the 2011-2012 season in May and June of 2011. Potential choristers are always welcome to observe a rehearsal and see the choir in action! Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings at St. Barnabas Anglican Church (31 Queenston St, St. Catharines).  Training Choir meets from 4:30pm to 6:00pm, and Concert Choir meets from 5:15 - 7:00pm.  CNCC welcomes children aged 7-17.

For more information, contact:

Lyn Hibbitt, CNCC Manager

cnccmanager@yahoo.ca

905 945 2049