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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, Ju ne 20 ,2 01 9 | 34 A Georgetown cowboy is also one of three Canadians chosen to represent Canada as a choir boy. Ben Done, a tenor, splits his time between choral music and corrals. In July, Done is headed to Occitanie in France, to be a part of the World Youth Choir. For three weeks, choral musicians from around the world, 56 members from 27 countries, will participate in the 30th anniversary of the choir. "It's a great way for peo- ple to experience world cho- ral music," Done said. Done began singing cho- ral music while studying music at Laurentian Uni- versity in Sudbury. "That's sort of where I started my choral experi- ence," Done said. "Over the four years I was there, I grew to love it." Prior to university, Done grew up singing country music with his family. "We have a karaoke ma- chine in the living room and we all sing," Done said. Last year, Done success- fully auditioned for the On- tario Youth Choir, singing under the direction on John Washburn. "That solidified it," Done said. "It was amazing to sing with such talented singers and musicians." With the age limit for the Ontario Youth Choir capped at 23, Done, who turns 24 in July, is no longer eligible for the Ontario choir, but found the World Youth Choir has an age lim- it of 26 years old. Done successfully audi- tioned for the international choir, first advancing - along with 11 other Canadi- ans - to a second audition, before being accepted with two other Canadians, bari- tone, Graeme Climie of Cal- gary, and alto, Elyse Dela- ney of Nova Scotia. Choral singers will ar- rive in France on July 18 and spend the first week re- hearsing from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. every night. "You have to be careful on your downtime," Done said. "You want to socialize but you have to chill out and rest your voice, even talking can be straining." The choir will perform several times over the three-week period, includ- ing at the International Fes- tival of Sacred Music in Lis- bon, Portugal. When Done returns to Canada, he said he's inter- ested in pursuing another passion: Rodeo. Done currently works on a thoroughbred horse farm in Halton Hills. He said he got interested in horses after discovering the show Heartland. "I found a place to volun- teer," Done said. "I didn't even know how to put a hal- ter on a horse." Now, Done cares for thoroughbred horses as part of his summer job. "It keeps me in shape," he said. "I live in two complete- ly different worlds: I'm at school for the winter and fall, practicing piano and singing and then I come back here." Last year, Done took part in the Ram Rodeo's Build-A- Cowboy program and learned to ride broncos. While Done said he didn't have the equipment to ride in the upcoming Grand Valley Rodeo, he hoped to borrow some. More information about the World Youth Choir is available at www.worl- dyouthchoir.org. Done's music can be heard on YouTube as Benja- minDoneMusic. NEWS GEORGETOWN COWBOY HEADED TO WORLD YOUTH CHOIR ONE OF THREE CANADIANS HEADING TO FRANCE IN JULY BRYAN MYERS bmyers@metroland.com Ben Done, 23, is headed to France as one of three Canadians selected to take part in the World Youth Choir. Bryan Myers/Torstar DO YOU HEAR Ringing? Buzzing? Book a TINNITUS Consultation Today! Hearing Testing, Hearing Aids and Accessories Ph: 289-891-8833 120 Mill Street, Georgetown UCHS kitten shower Shelter 519.833.2287 Thrift Shop 905.702.8661 www.uppercredit.com info@uppercredit.com Charitable Registration #893738872RR0001 It's spring and it's showering kittens. You're invited to the UCHS kitten shower. Bring your friends and neighbours. Treats for humans. Date: Jun. 23, 2019 Time: 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm Location: UCHS shelter (5383 Trafalgar Road North, Erin, Ontario) Come to visit the kittens and learn about fostering them.