PORT McNEILL—Organizers were unsure what to expect this weekend for the first concert by a new youth choir.
Clearly, any concerns about low turnout were unfounded.
The debut of the Wild Heart Music Program, started with fundraising help by Port McNeill-raised singer Georgia Murray, takes place Saturday with concerts at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
But the two groups of singers — a senior choir and junior choir — will not perform in their usual rehearsal location at St. John Gualbert Anglican Church.
Instead, the shows have been moved to Gate House Community Theatre downtown, due to overwhelming ticket demand.
“We had enough tickets printed for maximum seating for both shows,” said Wade Allen, pastor at St. John Gualbert and one of the directors of the Wild Heart program. “We sold them all, and people kept coming for more. It’s really been quite astounding.”
Murray, who is now based in Victoria, will return home to sing several numbers with the young singers, who have been training under instructor Fran Jenkins since the beginning of the year.
“Gate House was wonderful, stepping up for the kids,” said Allen.
The Gate House Society was formed to promote the arts on the North Island.