News & Views Tuesday, July 08, 2025

Music from the Winter Olympics! Wednesday, February 17, 2010

On Friday, February 12th, the opening ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics was enjoyed by millions of viewers worldwide. Aside from the always emotional entrance of the athletes in the “Parade of the Nations,” and the stunning visual effects used throughout the cultural section, the powerful music performed during the ceremony is one of the most memorable aspects.

After the entrance of the Canadian flag, “O Canada” was expressively performed by jazz-pop singer, Nikki Yanofsky. You can find this anthem and many of the others sure to be heard throughout the games in “National Anthems from Around the World,” a song collection for voice and piano.

During the “Spring Section” of the cultural portion, Sarah McLachlan performed her song “Ordinary Miracle,” while dancers performed in a simulated forest grove. You can share this piece with your choirs in an arrangement by Audrey Snyder, available in SATB, SAB and 2-part.

Legendary singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell performed one of her best-known songs “Both Sides, Now” during the Tribute to Canadian Praries. This enduring pop song is available in a piano/vocal solo.

As the Song of Peace, soulful singer k.d. lang performed “Hallelujah,” by fellow Canadian singer/songwriter, Leonard Cohen. You can perform this favorite as a piano/vocal solo, or inspire your choir with an Emerson arrangement in SATB, SAB and 2-part. Advanced choirs will especially enjoy a beautiful a cappella version arranged by the King's Singers' Philip Lawson.

Although it was not used during the opening ceremony, Nikki Yanofsky's “I Believe” is the Canadian Television (CTV) 2010 Olympic Theme Song. With its message of determination and unity, this song would be as fitting for a graduation as it is for the winter games, and will soon be available for SATB, SAB and 2-part choirs.

Also premiered just before the opening ceremony was the “We Are the World” remake for the benefit of Haiti. Many famous names from the music and acting communities came together to produce this new recording 25 years after the first “We Are the World” to aid Africa's famine victims. Purchase the SATB choral version, and assemble your own star-studded event!

For more information on these or other titles, contact Stanton’s Sheet Music.