A trip to heaven might not be necessary to hear the sound of angels.

John Dove, one of the organizers of the 14th Niagara International Music Festival, believes the choirs that come from all over to perform over the three days sound just like that.

"You really have to just hear them to understand why we keep running this event," said Dove.

The festival, which kicks off Wednesday, July 9, hosts seven choirs from all over Canada and the United States.

"Calgary is probably the furthest a choir has come to participate in the festival," said Dove.

Dove and his wife Joan along with a business group in Ottawa select the choirs from tapes and recommendations.

"The people we are involved with in Ottawa are involved in the music scene," said Dove. "They usually know some of the choirs personally."

There will also be a guest conductor on hand at the festival. The famous Vancouver-based composer/director Stephen Hatfield will work with the choirs and choir leaders for the first two days and then conduct the massed choirs on the last day of the festival, Friday July 11.

"This is Stephen's third time being a guest conductor," said Dove. "We've had as many as 500 people in the massed choir on the last day."

The festival begins in Grimsby on July 9 at the Mountainview Christian Reformed Church, 290 Main St. E. On July 10, three choirs will perform at Lundy's Lane United Church on the corner of Lundy's Lane and Hannan Avenue. Friday will be the grande finale of the festival at Calvary Church on 89 Scott St. in St. Catharines. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range between $5 and $10 and can be purchased through the Doves or at the Grimsby Dutch Shop on Main Street in Grimsby.

For more information contact Joan and John Dove at 905-945-6651.