Forest City Fire Selected to sing National Anthem at ISU World Figure Skating Championships

OTTAWA, ON: More than 100 people including soloists, duets, quartets and choirs from across the province of Ontario auditioned to sing the Canadian National Anthem at the Opening Ceremony of the 2013 ISU World Figure Skating Championships® in London in March.

Ranging in age from nine to 77, singers took to the London Convention Centre stage with their bilingual rendition of O’ Canada in front of judges Debbi Wilkes (1964 Olympic silver medalist and Director, Business Development, Skate Canada), Barb MacDonald (Director of Corporate Communications, Skate Canada) and John Winston (General Manager, Tourism London).

The winner of the National Anthem competition, Forest City Fire, is a men's a cappella performing chorus directed by Gord Miller and Dave Campbell. The 30 choir members come from towns and villages from across southwestern Ontario. The runner-up position went to Emily Chambers, 21, a third-year voice major in Music Education at the University of Western Ontario.

“We were overwhelmed with the response from so many different vocalists and groups. They made our decision very difficult,” said Debbi Wilkes. “What stood out with the chorus’ version of O’ Canada was the terrific harmony and a rousing arrangement that we felt would stir people’s hearts at the Opening Ceremony for the event. And Emily’s heartfelt singing was a truly gifted presentation of our national anthem, and was certainly a standout performance.”

“The members of Forest City Fire are thrilled to be awarded the opportunity to share our a cappella music on the world stage,” said Mark Stevens, Chorus Manager, “We are especially proud to work with Skate Canada on this prestigious event.”

The Opening Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, March 13th at 3:45 p.m. just prior to the start of the Men’s short program at the 2013 ISU World Figure Skating Championships®. Practices begin on March 11th and the event concludes with the exhibition gala on the 17th. All of the competitions take place at Budweiser Gardens.

A few tickets remain for the events, and can be purchased online at www.budweisergardens.com/, by phone toll-free in North America at 1.866.455.2849 or International direct at +1 (484) 875.7493, and in-person at the Budweiser Gardens box office.