Tickets are on sale now for the Spring Sing concert hosted by the 76-member Moose Jaw Community Choir which promises to be “a fun and entertaining evening” for all who attend.
The third annual concert will take place at Zion United Church on Saturday, May 11, with the performance set to begin at 7 p.m.
The concert will include many well-known songs and a few new pieces, although Bob Laing, a choir committee member, has confirmed that none of the songs performed at last year’s concert will be repeated. Several of the pieces will also see an instrumental accompaniment.
“Most people will recognize a few of the songs… and then there’s some that are new to all of us,” Liang stated.
Local musician and member of the band Desperate for Haggis, Doug Shepherd, will be performing a debut for his newly written song, “Traveller’s Blessing.” The piece is done in the style of an Irish blessing and categorizes as a sacred song.
“We’re happy – he actually sings in the choir with us, and he has (now) written a song,” Laing said.
The night will follow much of the event’s traditional format, however, one new twist will be introduced this time around.
Liang said a sing-along portion will be introduced in the middle of the performance, which he’s seen attempted in different locations with a great deal of success. Diane Rhodes, the choir’s director, hasn’t revealed these selections as of yet.
The Moose Jaw Community Choir was founded in February 2017 when a musically included group of around nine individuals got together to discuss the possibility of establishing a new venue in the city. Their goal was to create a space for anyone in Moose Jaw to get together and sing for fun.
The result of some discussion led to the establishment of a four-part harmony which covered a variety of styles including sacred, folk, pop, classical, and Broadway, among others.
At the start of the community choir, 38 members were registered and now that has grown to 76.
Today this legacy continues, and the choir meets on Monday nights for a two-hour practice under the direction of Diane Rhodes and with Jennifer Watterson’s piano accompaniment.
Following the concert performance, a complimentary reception is scheduled with refreshments to cap off the evening. The ladies at Zion United Church will be providing beverages, and the choir will set up a spread including cookies, squares, and fruit options.
Proceeds from ticket sales will go toward the choir’s day-to-day overhead and typical expenses include the rent of venues, music licensing – which Liang said can be as high as $3 - $4 per printed sheet with 76 members requiring upwards of 10 – 11 copies apiece – and the choir provides a student bursary at each year’s music festival. In 2023, the Moose Jaw Community Choir provided $500 through this program.
For those who love choral music and are looking for an ideal outing, the Spring Sing concert will be something you don’t want to miss.
“Well, everybody is local, and we just enjoy performing. We have a really good mix of music… And it’s really good entertainment that the whole family can enjoy.”
To purchase your tickets, visit SaskTix.ca or stop by the Moose Jaw Event Centre’s box office at 110 First Avenue Northwest. Tickets are going for $15 apiece and will be on sale from March 25 – May 11 with accompanied children aged 12 and under enjoying free admittance.
Ticket numbers are limited and will not be sold at the door, so anyone interested is reminded to act fast to secure their seats.
Seating is on a first come, first served basis, so it’s always best to arrive early. Doors will open for 6:15 p.m. at the Zion United Church located at 423 Main Street North.
