Nearly two thousand voices filling one of the most acclaimed acoustic halls in the world. That might sound like a performance of Handel’s Messiah – but there’s a twist. Those two thousand voices will be singing hits from ABBA, and you’re invited! The show is called Choir! Choir! Choir! and it’s the brainchild of Toronto-based music enthusiasts Daveed Goldman and Nobu Adilman.
The concept started simple. Get a group of people together to do a guided sing-along ala glee club. The key difference is that you’re not just singing to a karaoke track. Goldman and Adilman split the audience up into groups, guiding each section through different harmonies. And when all groups sing together, the effect is amazing. Just check out the video below at the legendary National Arts Centre in Ottawa.
We were able to sit down with Daveed Goldman and Nobu Adilman to chat about their experiences – both on the road and close to home – and their answers will definitely surprise you!
What’s the furthest you’ve travelled for a gig?
The furthest places we’ve gone for a gig - both twice! - are Brazil and Greece. One trip to Brazil we made an amazing end-of-year video with the countries’ film and television stars and appeared on a late-night talk show.
What’s the weirdest gig you’ve ever done?
The weirdest gig might be the time we were invited to sing at a Game of Thrones party at Casa Loma in Toronto. Then again, it may have been the time we were judges at a butter tart competition which we also sang at. Or it could have been the time I (Nobu) was in Tijuana with 400 Mexican singers and Daveed was in San Diego with 400 Americans and we sang The Beatles’ With A Little Help From My Friends across the border wall. Or it was the time …
If you could put one thing on your rider, what would it be?
Our beds from home. Or a trampoline. Or steamed clams. Or ...
What is one thing you always travel with?
Nobu: I never leave home without my mimi-kaki (a Japanese ear cleaner)
What’s your favourite thing about being Canadian?
Healthcare
Do you have a pre-show ritual?
Make dinner plans
Do you have 3 vocal warm-up tips for ticketholders prior to the show?
Rub your stomach, lay off the cheese, and repeat to yourself in a quiet voice: “I’m going to have the best night ever.”
Photo by Jef Fasano
Alex Bonyun is Communications Manager for Arts Commons. Her interests range from writing about the arts, to photography, and painting tiny things. She’s even authored a kids’ book for imaginative early readers. Her philosophy is that everyone has a story worth sharing.
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