Singing for her graduation ceremony was one of Audrey De Boer’s biggest highlight of her graduating year, but being invited as the anthem singer for Richmond’s first virtual Canada Day celebration was an even greater surprise.
De Boer, a local singer and song writer, was excited to receive the news when the city contacted her to once again to sing the national anthem, except this time it would be recorded and played virtually for everyone.
“It’s such an extraordinary experience to sing Oh Canada anytime, but this Canada Day will be an unforgettable experience for sure and I’m excited to be making a point in the history book,” said De Boer.
In order to prepare for the video of her singing the anthem, De Boer woke up extra early to film in order to avoid the daily traffic of people.
“I have been filming at different locations of the city for the video and the City of Richmond will be doing the final job of putting it together like a montage,” explained De Boer.
“It’s going to be an interesting and engaging video to watch and I’m excited for it to be shown.”
She told the Richmond News that she hasn’t sang for many virtual events, but her latest and most memorable experience so far would be her recent performance for her graduating class’ virtual valedictorian ceremony.
“It was a special performance and experience to sing at the ceremony and I was honoured to be part of the video for our graduating class that everyone gets to keep,
said De Boer, adding that it will be a “great memory to look back on.”
“I’m used to performing my songs for YouTube videos … in a no-audience setting so it is definitely a different feeling where I have to always draw the emotions from myself rather than from those in the audience.”
She explained that singing in a live event with an audience brings “electricity to the performance” in comparison to singing through a screen, however, this time she feels the situation will be a bit unique and different for everyone.
“I believe singing along with a song is always about how it connects with your heart and soul, but when this particular program goes live next week, I can see people being engaged by the power of the anthem that it won’t feel like a virtual event in the moment.”
Virtual Canada Day celebrations will be held at https://www.richmond.ca/discover/events/richmondcanadaday.htm
