The Olds Community Chorus choral singing group is gearing up for the 2019 season in a number of exciting ways, including putting out a call for new members, says board secretary and vocalist Chantal Wagner.
Made up of about 40 singers from across the region, including from Olds, Didsbury and Carstairs, the chorus is in its 27th year in 2019.
Singers in the chorus range in age from 20s to 70s, with many of the performers having been involved with the group for years.
Terry Wasden recently joined the group as musical director. Her musical experience includes directing the Talisman Energy Choir in Calgary.
The chorus recently adopted a new motto: Sing, Learn, Grow.
Wagner says the motto says it all.
“We are a community chorus so that is our main goal,” said Wagner. “Everyone is welcome and we want everyone to have fun. Basically the only requirement is if you like to sing and you like music.”
The chorus also has a new vision statement: “We are a chorus of Olds and surrounding communities welcoming all singers to prepare and present choral music for the enjoyment and inspiration of our audience.”
A new mission statement has also been formulated: “To provide joyful opportunities for members to sing, learn, and grow as they prepare and perform choral music.”
For the first time the chorus has also adopted a set of new core values: hospitality, community, respectfulness and excellence.
As in the past, the chorus will be performing a great variety of music types and styles in 2019, including Broadway, jazz, pop, folk and western, she said.
“We’ve always done a bit of everything, but with our new director Terry we are all learning and doing lots of new things,” said Wagner, who is a soprano 1 singer who joined the choir in 2014.
The chorus performed as part of the Olds Celebrate Sports Day and MNP Canada Winter Games torch relay event on Jan. 31.
The chorus held its 2019 Meet and Greet event at the Hope Pointe Church on Feb. 1, and is now getting ready for the spring concert, a date for which has yet to be announced.
Anyone interested in joining the Olds Community Chorus can do so by visiting oldscommunitychorus.com.
“Everyone is welcome, if you are new to the community or you just want a new fun group of friends,” she said.
