Feel free to join in
Insta Choir hoping for good turnout at Mayflower Mall on Saturday
If you’re out shopping at the Mayflower Mall on Saturday, don’t be surprised if you’re suddenly surrounded by singers.
It’s part of the Insta Choir, which will gather around the Best Buy area, around 12:45 p.m. Members of the public who happen to be in the area at the time will be taught a familiar song by Cape Breton Chorale director Ryan Billington and then after a short rehearsal with the chorale, everyone will perform the song, which will be recorded and videotaped for public viewing.
Choirs that pop up in public places and engage people to start singing is a relatively new phenomenon that’s becoming more popular, says chorale president Ruth Ann Morrison.
“I don’t know who had the original idea but I know in Canada it’s literally popping up everywhere,” said Morrison. “It’s really caught on and people love it. I’m really hoping people around here will respond.”
Morrison said those who attend will be given lyric sheets and it’s hoped some people will be inspired enough by the experience to attend the chorale’s spring concert on Sunday, April 22 at 7 p.m., at the Church of Christ The King in Sydney and maybe even join the choir in the future as a member.
“We’re hoping that people will think, ‘I’d like to be a part of this’ and we’re always looking for new members, especially male voices,” said Morrison. Joining a choir has special benefits as well, she adds.
“This choir has helped us deal with everything in our lives — moments of stupendous joy to grief and everything in between. There is something that taps into that right side of your brain and just allows for great release and feeling of harmony. It’s a unique experience and we hope people will come and give it a try.”
The chorale’s annual spring concert on Sunday, April 22 is called Gaia and it will celebrate Earth Day with music from various genres.
“We have a selection of music that revolves around the theme of nature and the love of our planet. It touches on all different aspects, creation, different aspects of nature and about our love of planet earth,” said Morrison.
The music will include arrangements of such classics as John Rutter’s “For The Beauty of the Earth” and “The Heavens are Telling” by Franz Joseph Haydn but it will also include a James Taylor song, an Indigenous work, “Grandmother Moon,” “Fields of Gold” and “Rise Again.”
“It’s an eclectic kind of mixture of music but there’s something for everybody,” said Morrison. “I think it will give us time to reflect on the world we live in and what there is to appreciate.”