Choir aims to hit the high notes
Valley Voices Community Choir, an organization that has been in the community for more than 20 years, is hosting their annual spring concert on April 13.
Pam Baker, the president of the society, says the theme this year is Seasons Come and Seasons Go. They will also have River’s Edge, a local band, as a guest this year.
Baker says the choir is excited about having River’s Edge join them this year. The band, which includes Rob Christopherson and Terry Flemming, will play along for a few songs and then they will play some of their own music.
Baker says there is a core group of singers that have been part of Valley Voices since the beginning. Their director, Tammy Flett, has always led the group and made the music choices.
Along with Flett and Baker are Wayne and Brenda Cartwright, Anne Murphy, Erin Hickman, and Dawn Gunderson. During the pandemic, the number of singers was down, but Baker says they are now back up to regular numbers and are looking forward to the concert.
“It’s just wonderful to be able to gather as a community and sing,” says Baker.
She says Valley Voices is a community choir and they welcome anyone who wants to sing. Unlike audition choirs, anyone can join regardless of their skill set, and Baker says Valley Voices has always enjoyed singing with others.
The only requirement for the group is that the performers be 16 years or older. She says it doesn’t matter if the person is new to singing, as long as they love to do it they are welcome and the group is happy to help if anyone needs a little fine tuning.
Baker says their members are also part of other groups. Some of their younger singers have taken part in other performances, and she says recently some of them performed in Oliver Twist.
“It’s just enjoying music together and being able to share that with others,” she says.
Each year at Christmas the group sings both secular and non-secular Christmas Carols at the continuing care centre in the hospital, Shangri-La Lodge, and the Seasons Retirement Homes.
During their spring concerts, the group chooses music that goes with their theme. This year, Baker says the music will be about the four seasons.
While the group does performances in the community, Baker says they don’t really travel outside of the community. With anywhere from 25 to 30 members, she says it’s difficult to make arrangements for everyone. Especially since many of their members still work.
In the past, the group has performed at the Performing Arts Festival in the community and were recommended to go on to provincials. She says at that time they rented a bus and travelled to Edmonton to perform, but they haven’t done anything like that in several years.
Tickets for the performance at the Eleanor Pickup Arts Centre can be purchased at Value Drug Mart for $15 or from any member of the choir.
Amanda Jeffery, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Drayton Valley and District Free Press
