If you’ve ever been told you can’t carry a tune, a new choir will be music to your ears.
St. Barnabas Anglican Church is hosting a new no-barrier community choir that will soon be getting underway.
“It’s not a church choir; it’s a community choir,” said Rev. Emilie Smith. “We call it a no-barrier community choir. What it means is that everybody is invited. It’s open to all people from all walks of life, all cultures, all faiths, all abilities. It’s not auditioned. Nobody is going to get turned away because they think they can’t sing.”
Patti Powell, who directs three community choirs in Vancouver, will lead the new choir that will get underway in January. Powell grew up with a significant stutter, but discovered she had no difficulty singing, an experience that led her to believe everyone has the right to sing.
An “appetizer session” for anyone wondering what it’s all about or wanting to give it a try is taking place on Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at St. Barnabas Church, 1010 Fifth Ave.
“It’s community focused,” Smith said. “It’s focused on community rather than performance. It’s about being with each other. It’s involved with the neighbourhood.”
The community choir is based on the idea that singing is an essential human birthright, a powerful source of energy and connection, and a potent tool for building communities. It’s also thought that singing in harmony teaches people to celebrate diversity and to practise deep listening.
The community choir will meet for 10 sessions on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. starting on Jan. 10. A donation is requested from participants, but subsidies are available for this no-barrier community choir.
If you’re one of those folks who were told to “mouth the words” in school concerts, Smith said this is the choir for you.
“It doesn’t matter how terrible they think they are – Patti can make everybody sing,” she said. “They are extremely successful in Vancouver. There are lots and lots of people who are told they don’t sing because you’re better off not to.”
For more information, call 604-526-6646 or email [email protected].
