Canmore caves give Christmas carols sonic boost

The holiday season is always a special time for choirs, but this yearthe Valley Winds Music Association choir (VWMA) will get a once in a lifetime experiencesinging in an underground cave.

From Dec. 18-22, members of the choir and 24 spectators will climb down 30 meters into the Rat's Nestcave in Canmore, Alta., to reach the grand gallery a huge vaulted room to attend a concert roughly 40 minutes long.

Many Christmassurprises are planned along the way.

"It's the first time, we've never done this before so it's going to be a unique and special event," saidcreatorAdam Walker from Canmore Cave tours.

The idea came from Walker after he was asked by the Canmore Christmas festival to come up with a way to participate. His company specialize in caving excursions in the region.

Adapting to the location

The choir had to adapt a couple of pieces of its repertoire to the location, according to VWMA co-conductor Sue Denton.

"We have learned them and rehearsed them with accompaniment. We're obviously not taking a piano down there!"

It will be a bit easier on the singers who won't have to push their voices to be heard.

"The sound carries really well and so small sounds make big impact,"explains Denton.

Members also had to physicallyadapt to the cave.Most of them had never gone down a wild cave before, an activity that includes hiking, climbing, hanging from ropes and crawling through tight spaces.

'Once in a lifetime' experience

"I've personally never sung in anything like this before. It's such a unique, amazing experience," adds co-conductor LeeAnn Decoteau.

She thinks that people shouldn't be afraid of the physical challenges it includes. She thought she would never do these type of things herself.

"It definitely has all the elements of being mystical and magical. We're in a space that is millions of years old.Maybe there has been music in there before we don't know.It's a very humbling and calming and still experience."