From Labrador City to Carnegie Hall
Kerry Suek member of world-class choir from Qatar set to perform in New York
Growing up in Labrador City, Kerry Suek can remember singing at Christmas time at the local church.
That experience led him to today, when Suek is a member of the Doha Singers choir.
Living in Labrador, Suek was involved with the arts community, including local theatre, and as a member of the Labrador West Community choir.
Suek left Labrador West in 2002 to work with the College of the North Atlantic in Doha, Qatar.
“It’s humbling. And to look at the others who are performing there, they are world class, so it’s going to be quite a feeling to be on that stage.”
Kerry Suek
He brought with him his love of the arts. He remembers the community choir for the energy the members had, and for the many times they entertained in the community. Suek says the experience with the choir in Labrador City encouraged him to join the Doha Singers.
Now Suek is preparing for a highlight of his choir-singing career. The Doha Singers have been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Nov. 25.
The Doha Singers will be part of a mass choir, consisting of other choirs from all over, accompanied by a full orchestra. The performance will feature solo performances as well.
Fifty-two of the Doha singers will be part of the larger choir, with members from St. John’s, Lawn and various parts of the west coast of Newfoundland as well. But the choir has members from many parts of the world, including Canada and the U.K.
The choir is performing Handel’s Messiah. The Doha Singers will perform parts 2 and 3, which contains the Hallelujah Chorus.
“We usually rehearse once
Kerry Suek remembers the community choir for the energy the members had, and for the many times they entertained in the community. Suek says the experience with the choir in Labrador City encouraged him to join the Doha Singers.
a week, but with this performance it’s twice a week now,” Suek said.
So how does it feel to be scheduled to perform at one of the most famous concert venues in the world?
“It’s humbling,” says Suek, “and to look at the others who are performing there, they are world class, so it’s going to be quite a feeling to be on that stage.”
Suek noted a number of the choir members are also using their New York time to see “Come From Away,” the popular Broadway show based on the events that took place in and around Gander after 9-11.