CanSing

The VIRTUAL CLOWNS PROJECT with members of Vancouver Cansing Youth choir (ages 10 – 14), Hillcrest Neighbourhood, Gerda Blok- Wilson and Kevin Eng was a creative learning journey (Zoom meetings, recording) during these challenging Covid 19 times in April and May, 2020. It was great to produce a recording of the project for learning purposes. Nothing is even close to perfect! Super hard for us as conductors.

Although there are many things that might have been done differently, it was a great way to connect with the singers more individually via electronics. They’re so creative!

Even when back to in-person rehearsals, the Zoom sectionals, etc can be an efficient way to work with smaller groups on projects we might not be able to do during “normal” times, for example, meeting up with composers!

The full virtual project is posted at:

“Soon you’ll be through the dark!” Last night was Vancouver Cansing Adult Choir’s final ZOOM Check-in which included our VIRTUAL RECORDING of Hilary Grist’s “Tomorrow is a Chance to Start Over” (arrangement by Larry Nickel and available through Cypress Choral music) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycFt3wnrRY4. It was one of the pieces that was scheduled to be performed at our May 5^th Spring Show. The lyrics seemed to work for these difficult times.

The recording was created with individual recordings from our non-auditioned singers who range from totally novice to proficient. Kevin Eng spent a lot of time editing files together and I created the video component. Both of us learning lots of stuff!

Not perfect nor better than being together but I’m so proud of the VCS members for journeying with Kevin Eng and me through this totally new experience.

Like other choirs, the Vancouver Cansing Community Choirs have had to hold “social distancing” rehearsals since mid-March.

The whole Covid situation has felt like moving from one unknown to the next. I continued rehearsals by providing a weekly learning plan which included individual SATB rehearsal tracks for each song (which I make), rehearsal notes for skill development, listening examples, bios on the composers and review of previous pieces (mostly for familiarity). We held short Zoom meetings once a week for sectionals and good chats.

We look forward to singing together in the same space and performing the other songs we’ve rehearsed. Hugs to all

This amazing VANCOUVER CANSING CHOIR (Hillcrest Neighbourhood) concert will feature a 140 voice mass choir singing Craig Hella Johnson’s spectacular arrangement LET THE RIVER RUN (Carly Simon). Admission is by donation ($15 – $20.00 suggested amount).

The 60 minute show will feature five choirs singing a variety of songs including selections by Canadian songwriter and composers Ian Tyson, Larry Nickel and two of Gerda Blok-Wilson’s arrangements: COD LIVER OIL (trad Newfoundland) and CHI MI NA MÓR-BHEANNA (Mist Covered mountains – trad. Nova Scotia).

Along with Gerda Blok-Wilson (Artistic Director) and Kevin Eng (Assistant conductor, accompanist), we hope to see you!

Member of the BC Choral Federation, BC Kodály Association and Choral Canada.

CANSING.CA

Twitter: @vancansing

The Vancouver Cansing choirs, Hillcrest neighbourhood, will present their fifth seasonal benefit, TIS THE SEASON, for the Greater Vancouver Food bank, Tuesday, Dec 10^th, 7-8pm, Sir Charles Tupper Auditorium. Admission is by donation ($15 – 20.00 suggested amount).

All proceeds will go to the Greater Vancouver Foodbank (NO FOOD ITEMS PLEASE).

What gives the most joy during the holidays? It’s the gifts we give to others. Last year, the singers raised over $2600.00!

The short family program is a wonderful way to hear fantastic choral performances including John Leavitt’s GLORIA (from PETITE MASS), and Chuck Bridwell’s crazy NUTCRACKER JINGLES, woven with readings from Clement Clarke Moore’s THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS. The audience will have a chance to sing favourite carols including the VCS highlight of the evening, A MOOSE IN A MAPLE TREE.

With each $1 VCS Choirs donate, GVFB can purchase at least $3 worth of nutritious groceries and fresh produce for the thousands of people they support each week. Share the news with family, friends and neighbours!

Member of the BC Choral Federation, BC Kodály Association and Choral Canada

We hope you can join the youth and adult Vancouver Cansing Choirs (Hillcrest Neighbourhood) for HERE’S TO SONG, Friday, Nov 22, 7pm, Charles Tupper Auditorium. Admission is by donation ($15 – $20.00 suggested amount).

The 60 minute show will be filled with a variety of songs including selections by Canadian songwriters and composers Allister MacGillivray, Lydia Adams, Jean McKen, Stan Rogers, Ron Smail, Erica Phare-Bergh, Hilary Grist, Larry Nickel.

Two highlights will be 60 youth choir singers performing “Revolting Children” (Matilda) and 125 singers in the mass choir performance of MacGillivray’s HERE’S TO SONG.

Along with Gerda Blok-Wilson (Artistic Director) and Kevin Eng (Assistant conductor, accompanist), we hope to see you!

Member of the BC Choral Federation, BC Kodály Association and Choral Canada.

Twitter: @vancansing

The Vancouver CanSing (VCS) 2019 fall session registration is open! This will be our 10^th anniversary season!

All rehearsals begin Tuesday, September 17th, Cityview Church, Hillcrest neighbourhood. We welcome new members (youth and adult) who LOVE to sing and perform all kinds of music. Please help us get the word out. Feel free to share via email, Facebook, Twitter, newsletters so the word gets out to people who are keen to sing!

The Vancouver Cansing program is comprised of five choral groups of varying age groups – youth and adult, all of whom sing separately but also engage in multi-generational music-making.  There’s a great community spirit in our group and sense of joy and belonging between the singers and audience. 

We believe “If you can talk, you can sing.” Like any other instrument, learning to sing takes practice!  

VCS has been praised by many for the camaraderie, challenge and sense of real ‎community that is promoted.  Hope you can join us!

VCS is a member of the BC Choral Federation, BC Kodaly Association and Choral Canada.

Vancouver Cansing Choirs:

LEVEL 1 (ages 5 & 6). Our youngest group of musicians…

LEVEL 2 (ages 7 & 8). Slightly more advanced group who also sing with Level 3.

LEVEL 3 (ages 9 – 15. Non – auditioned). A vibrant group of singers who sometimes work with Level 4 and adults.

LEVEL 4 CHORthemo (ages 10 – 16. Auditioned). An advanced group of boys and girls who provide leadership to the younger singers and also “wow” audiences with their individual choir work and singing with the adult choir.

ADULT CHOIR (grades 11 and 12 through adult: non-auditioned but you must be able to carry a tune…). A wonderful group of keen adults, many of whom are parents of youth choristers.

VCS Youth choir’s final concert of the year will feature the musical, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOUR DREAMCOAT (Abridged) along with other songs, May 21st, 7pm and May 24^th, 7pm, Cityview Church (4370 Sophia St). Admission is by donation ($10 – $15 suggested amount) to cover professional fees, rent and general choir expenses.

Witty, fun and energetic, the show will be approximately 50 minutes.

This is the 50^th anniversary of the musical play. It was first written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice at the age of 19. Since that time the play has been rewritten and lengthened for stage several times. The fourteen songs, including “Any Dream Will Do”, “Jacob and Sons”, and “Close Every Door to Me” are all in a light, popular style. 

It’s an enchanting, light hearted, “rags to riches” story of a boy named Joseph who overcomes many hurdles to go from being his father’s favourite son to a slave and then to become the second in charge to the Pharaoh (King) of Egypt. Discover how perseverance, bravery, kindness and Joseph’s special powers to interpret dreams, help reunite him with his brothers and his father.

The Vancouver CanSing Choirs are in the Hillcrest Neighbourhood and practice at Cityview Church. VCS is a member of the BC Choral Federation, BC Kodaly Association and Choral Canada.

Do you love to sing? Come sing with us! For information: www.cansing.ca

Vancouver CanSing Adult Choir will present HERE COMES ANOTHER NEW DAY, Tuesday, May 7^th, 8 – 9pm, Cityview Church (4370 Sophia St – 5 mins East from Main & 28^th). Admission is by donation (suggested $15 – $20.00 to cover rent and professional fees).

The choir will perform a variety of seasonal songs by Karl Jenkins, Leonard Cohen, Thomas Juneau, Blok-Wilson and more. The audience will have the opportunity to sing along to George Harrison’s “Here Comes the Sun.”

We are delighted to feature Ashley Gonzales, UBC Voice Major. This is the third year that the choir has supported an emerging vocal artist and we look forward to making music together!

Known for her expressive performances, Ashley is an upcoming soprano from Vancouver, British Columbia. She began her musical studies in piano at the age of 5 with Juliet Dizon. Her love for singing began in her elementary choir and she has taken part in multiple choirs ever since, either as singer, pianist, or conductor. She completed her Diploma in Music at Capilano University where she studied with Siri Olsen-Maddock and George Roberts in 2017. Ashley is currently in 3rd year Music at the University of British Columbia, majoring in Voice Performance with Marisa Gaetenne.

This is the final concert of the season for the VCS Adult choir. If you are interested in singing with a choir September 2019, come join our group! We are an awesome, friendly SATB community choir, in the Hillcrest Neighbourhood, that sings all kinds of choral repertoire and rehearses once weekly. Click VCS Adult Choir information

We hope you can join us! Please help us spread the word to family and friends.

Member of the BC Choral Federation, BC Kodály Association and Choral Canada

www.cansing.ca

This group of fine young Vancouver Cansing musicians will take to the stage tomorrow, 5pm, Cityview Church to perform their short musical EIEI-OOPS story: In the barnyard, Mr. and Mrs. Old MacDonald and Mr. and Mrs. Farmer in the Dell and the whole barnyard are singing except the poor cow who is afraid to vocalize because she’s too shy and has been teased…

The group will also sing some of the wonderful repertoire they have learned this year.

Along with artistic support from Kevin Eng, Tim Mah, Graeme Guimond, the VCS Level 1 and 2 program is such an amazing introduction to choral singing for young singers! With emphasis on singing and vocal production using the principles of the Kodály method, the children develop musical skills singing varied repertoire and are introduced to age appropriate movement and storytelling skills. It’s been a delight to work with this group of singers!  

Along with Kevin Eng, Andrea Westaway, Tim Mah, Graeme Guimond and all the Vancouver Cansing Choir members, I invite you to LIFE HAS LOVELINESS TO SELL, 7pm, Friday, March 1^st, Charles Tupper Auditorium. The uplifting songs from all genres were chosen to fit the theme of Sara Teasdale’s poem “Barter” (Life has loveliness to sell). I hope “everything is great” and you can join us!

Thank you to Makeesha Fisher for the beautiful poster!

My new SATB choral composition “Life Has Loveliness to Sell” will be premiered by our VCS Adult Choir. Other featured repertoire will include choral selections by Vivaldi, Praetorius, Copeland, Jan Garrett (I Dreamed of Rain – arr Larry Nickel), and a 130 voice mass choir finale of  Bret McKenzie’s fantastic song, “Life’s a Happy Song”, SATB choral arrangement by Audrey Snyder. This hour long program will be “full of highs!”

VCS Choirs are a member of the BC Choral Federation, BC Kodaly Association and Choral Canada. www.cansing.ca