CHOIR STRIKES CHORD IN CANADA CANYON HIGH GROUP BONDS ON ROAD TRIP.

Byline: Eugene Tong  Staff Writer

CANYON COUNTRY - Voices full and harmonized, the Canyon High Choir delighted Canadian concertgoers over the weekend in an award-winning performance with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

Besides winning two ``superior'' ratings, the show Monday in Vancouver, British Columbia, ended in a standing ovation from the audience of some 2,800. It was the climax for a British Columbia road trip some 77 students began last week, choir director Mary Purdy said Tuesday.

``It was so special,'' she said. ``One of the boys afterward was just weeping because the people in the audience - the audience was giving them a standing ovation. These people were there because they love music, not because they're their parents. This was a whole room full of strangers.''

These out-of-town concerts have been an annual tradition for Canyon's choir program, with past trips taking the class to New York's Carnegie Hall and a Florida music festival. Besides adoration and accolades, Purdy said the trips allow her students to bond, and bring forth a richer performance.

Choir member Jacqueline Tyler agreed.

``It helps us to relate to each other,'' said Jacqueline Tyler, 16. ``You're just able to perform better. You understand more about the people standing next to you and you feel like you're in the same situation as them.''

The performance was organized by Classic Concerts International, a Utah-based agency that specializes in joint concerts pairing high school and university choirs with professional symphonies.

``It's like taking high school football players and throwing them into the NFL without getting them killed,'' said Paul Page, an executive director. ``Musically, some of these kids have never had the opportunity to step on stage in that level. ... They can see where their music can take them and they can strive to do better to get to that point.''

Page invited Canyon High to participate this year based on its award- winning track record in local and state competitions.

``Their attitude and their discipline were incredible,'' he said. ``You didn't have to ask for their attention. They're ready to go.''

Before they departed for Canada, the choir needed to raise funds for the trip and master a string of opera choruses.

``In opera you have to expand your voice,'' said Tyler, a Canyon High junior. ``It was difficult because we had to live up to what opera stands for. Everyone thinks of opera as such a wonderful cultural experience. We have to live up to that.''

Purdy said her students were up to the challenge.

``The kids were just so excited about doing these things,'' she said. ``They love the opera choruses. I was a little concerned because when you mention opera, most kids go, opera? Ewwww.''

``She made us rehearse all the time,'' Tyler recalled. ``We were not very grateful at the time, but after a while, we realized that that was probably the best thing we could possibly do. We sounded so good when we got out there.''

Despite more than three months of practice, some performers were still nervous at curtain call.

``With an audience you've never met before - an audience that's used to seeing incredible concerts - it's just terrifying,'' Tyler said. ``It's like they're expecting you to do wonderfully. You have to sing to that expectation.''

They performed five choruses, including selections from Verdi and Wagner before a packed house. The end result - a standing ovation.

``It was just a wonderful feeling,'' Tyler said. ``We know we had accomplished what we came for.''

Page was impressed by the students' singing.

``They don't even realize the talent that they have,'' Page said. ``There are less than 100 (high school and university choirs) that have ever performed with the Vancouver Symphony, and they're one of them.''

Eugene Tong, [phone]

eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com