Blog: Choral & Current

An Insider's Guide to At Home with Chor Leoni

Every September, I look forward to our At Home with Chor Leoni, and trying to sneak a taste of the food (not meant for the singers). We used to call the event our 'gala', so if you hear the occasional forgetful singer (like me) use that name, please forgive them! No matter what you call it, it's a recipe for a wonderful evening.

Here are the ingredients:

• one incredible home, with generous hosts
• a choir-ful of men in tails singing and serving
• an exquisite stand-up dinner
• two auctions: silent and live, filled with deals and beautiful art
• a celebrity emcee (or two)
• talented, good-looking soloists (I really liked that one who sang a tune from Mame last year!)
• and most important of all, the guests!
  

You mix them all up (gently) and before you know it, the evening's over and you're heading home with great memories!

When I first joined the choir, the junior members of the choir were assigned dish duty. At first I wasn't too pleased, not seeing any advantage to being away from the glittering guests. Soon I was on the receiving end of the kitchen 'mistakes', and my love affair with this event (and the food....) began in earnest.

Despite my culinary appreciation of the evening, my favourite part is the chance for more interaction with the guests. One minute I'm recommending hors d'oeuvres and chatting with new friends, and the next I'm singing a favourite song two feet away from them! You have to give a try some time.

Russell Cripps, baritone

Posted by Russell Cripps, baritone on September 23, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Filed in: fundraising; inside Chor Leoni; performances | Permanent Link