December 17, 1996
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Major corporate sponsors announced for FESTIVAL 500 Sharing the Voices

Premier Brian Tobin today announced that Air Canada/Air Nova and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) will become the two major corporate sponsors for FESTIVAL 500 Sharing the Voices anchor event of the Cabot 500 Celebrations.

"I am delighted to welcome Air Canada/Air Nova and CIBC into a partnership which celebrates our land, our culture and our people," Premier Tobin said. "This partnership will supplement government's promotional efforts and increase awareness of this province's first- class tourism product and our special celebration year."

FESTIVAL 500 Sharing the Voices is an international choral festival which will run from June 18 to 29, 1997. This unprecedented event will bring together choirs from 10 nations including Argentina and South Africa and will feature such guest artists as The King's Singers from England, and one of Canada's foremost choral ensembles The Iseler Singers. The concert schedule will be complemented by a symposium where top clinicians and conductors will bring their expertise to visiting and resident participants.

Regional festivals which will be held in Labrador and Corner Brook will be followed by a week of choral activities in St. John's which will include lunchtime, afternoon and evening concerts. The festival will conclude with a grand finale performance by The King's Singers who will present a sampling of choral music from 1497 to 1997. In addition, a 400-voice youth choir, under the direction of Doreen Rao, will premiere a new work commissioned specifically for the festival. The grand finale will also include a 400-voice adult choir performing Carl Orff's haunting and powerful classic, Carmina Burana. The piece will be directed by internationally acclaimed conductor Bramwell Tovey. The choir will be accompanied by the 100-piece FESTIVAL 500 orchestra.

"Air Canada/Air Nova has been a long-time supporter of the tourism industry in Newfoundland and Labrador," Premier Tobin said. "Its partnership in FESTIVAL 500 is a testimony to Air Canada/Air Nova's commitment to supporting the growth of our tourism industry in 1997 and beyond."

Air Canada/Air Nova is the official airline of the Cabot Celebrations as well as being a major corporate sponsor of FESTIVAL 500 Sharing the Voices. Due to an increase in visitation during our celebration year, Air Canada/Air Nova has increased its capacity in 1997.

"This sponsorship arrangement is quite appropriate considering the many years of work Air Canada/Air Nova has undertaken with CIBC," said Air Canada/Air Nova's Marc Rosenberg, Vice President Sales and Product Distribution. "We have been corporate partners for many years and we are delighted to be supporting this event with them."

"CIBC is well known in Newfoundland and Labrador for its support of our cultural activities and industries," Premier Tobin said. "We are pleased to have CIBC partner with government in this initiative."

"Music is a great part of our folklore and culture. That is why it is so appropriate that the Cabot 500 Celebrations include a choral festival," said John Bromehed, CIBC District Manager Newfoundland and Labrador Region. "This is a perfect opportunity for CIBC to continue its community support of cultural events."

Contact: Laura Cochrane, Director of Communications, Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, (709) 729-0928 or Gillian Marx, Public Relations Coordinator, Cabot 500 Celebrations, (709) 729-2832 or (709) 729-1997.