New Queer Chorus Starting Up in January
Rainbow Chorus of New Westminster Begins!
Singers in the LGBTQ2S+ Community have an opportunity to blend their singing voices in a new experience of choral music, when the Rainbow Chorus of New Westminster launches its inaugural season in January 2022.
Alert - Covid update: DELAYED, NOT DETERRED
Originally scheduled to begin on January 17, the Rainbow Chorus will delay its first rehearsal by two weeks and will begin Monday, January 31.
Given the increase in the Omicron cases in BC and given new health orders for businesses to re-instate their infectious diseases work plans, this seems to be the most prudent decision for this time. This gives singers more time to get their vaccination booster.
This also gives people more time to register for what we believe will be an inspiring and hope-filled experience of making music in the face of this health challenge.
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The Rainbow Chorus is an opportunity for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities and their allies to join together in singing the songs that inspires their hearts. This new queer community choir is set to begin rehearsing in a live setting (COVID19 restrictions for choirs will apply) Monday evenings. Singing songs of beauty, inspiration, hope, playfulness and joy, the Rainbow Chorus’ purpose is to help people connect to something larger than themselves by blending voices that changes hearts.
In its inaugural season, the Rainbow Chorus will be conducted by singer, song-writer, choral conductor, Blair Odney. Blair is a member of the queer community and for the past 35 years has conducted church choirs, community choirs, and choral ensembles. He has performed as musical animator for many church and community gatherings and he is published in the United Church of Canada’s collection of new music, More Voices. He promises a joyfilled experience of learning, growing and connecting.
The Rainbow Chorus will be accompanied by Amy Stephen. Amy plays Celtic harp, piano, accordion & penny whistle. She is a busy studio musician and has played on many soundtracks and recording projects. A co-founder of Canada's internationally acclaimed Celtic funk band, Mad Pudding, she toured with that group for close to ten years across North America and Europe playing Celtic music.
As an outreach ministry of the United Church, the Rainbow Chorus will rehearse Mondays from 7-9:30 pm, beginning January 17, 2022, in the Sanctuary on Sixth Street, at the corner of Queens Avenue. The Rainbow Chorus is open to any and all who identify with the queer community and their allies whose voices have gone through puberty. A registration fee for the winter/spring session of $60 per singer provides for the purchase of new music, and supplies. However, ability to pay will not be a deterrent. While this is a non-auditioned choir, singers with limited experience will be invited to sing with Blair Odney to determine vocal range.
To register for the Rainbow Chorus, participants are request to complete registration form
https://form.jotform.com/213366376070253
For more information:
S. Blair Odney
Sanctuary on Sixth Street
Blair.queensavenue@gmail.com
The Rainbow chorus is committed to the work of reconciliation and building right relationships acknowledging that we work and rehearse on the traditional lands of the Coast Salish people and the QayQayt First Nation in New Westminster.