When the Muskoka Rock Choir returns to the stage on April 29, the Algonquin Theatre will be filled with the sounds of optimism and hope. Those are the themes capping off the choir’s eighth season, in what director Ian Crowley is calling their biggest, best concert ever.
Here Comes the Sun is an up-tempo show that includes some old favourites and some new, says Crowley, including some songs that might be expected – like Queen’s Somebody to Love – and some not so expected, like Trouble Me by 10,000 Maniacs.
“I think the songs are why people get excited – they come and they know the songs but it’s cool to have a choir sing them en masse. A lot of people sing along and there’s this great energy.”
The songs are tied together by Crowley’s narration. “We talk about the benefits of being an optimist and we talk about hope… What we’re saying is life is a lot better if you live in hope. You live longer, you have less stress, and you make better, healthier choices. Rock Choir is really about feeling good.”
He is grateful for the choir members who come out every week – 67 of them – to rehearse for the 12 weeks leading up to the year-end performance. “They come when they could be doing other things. Tuesday is a good T.V. night,” he jokes. “We sing off book – our members memorize every word and we are the only choir in Muskoka that does that – but I think because we sing off book we sing with more cohesion.”
-
- Sarah Spring, on piano, and Mike Phillips, on guitar, are just two of the pro musicians who back up the choir
-
- Ian Crowley is an enthusiastic director
-
- The 67-voice choir rehearses together every week
The choir is backed by professional musicians – band leader Sean Cotton, Glenn Bladdon (formerly of the Deerhurst H!t List), Mike Phillips, Sarah Spring, and Sherisse Stevens. And for this performance, special guest Gina Horswood will be playing a song from her new CD.
In the past, the choir has supported local charities with the profits from each concert – The Table Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, and the Syrian Refuge Sponsorship fund have all been past recipients – but this year funds will be put toward a music bursary for choir members.
Membership is open to any adult who wants to join and no audition is required. The bursary will be used to help those who can’t afford the $150 membership dues.
“We started with 11 people in season one and shot up to 55 in season two,” says Crowley. “And there isn’t a week that goes by where people tell me they want to join. We get at least 20 new people every season along with many who return.” Season nine starts in September and there are snowbirds who sing only from September through December.
The Muskoka Rock Choir presents Here Comes the Sun at the Algonquin Theatre April 29, starting at 7:30pm. Tickets are available online or at the theatre box office.
Don’t miss out on Doppler! Sign up for our free, twice-weekly newsletter here.
0 Comments