Lyric Singers ready to unleash a groovin’ vibe
Artistic director Jane Ursan with the Regina Lyric Singers wants audiences to dance, sing and snap to the music of Groovin’ with The Lyric Singers this weekend at the MacKenzie Art Gallery’s Shumiatcher Theatre.
The 40-person Lyric Singers, under the umbrella of Regina Lyric Musical Theatre, will present a combination of song and some lightly choreographed dance.
“It’s been a lot of fun putting all this music together,” said Ursan.
The group will perform with special guests Class Act Junior Show Choir with narrator Robert Ursan, Jane’s brother.
“He’ll telling everybody about the songs,” said Jane Ursan about her brother. “Of course, being Rob, he’s going to put his crazy sense of humour on everything.”
Song selections include a wide range of doo-wop hits, jazz and contemporary chart toppers. Ursan had a clear vision for the feel of the concert.
“Anything that makes you snap your fingers, dance along and move your hips to the music — that’s what I was looking for with this ... Even if you’re an older person and you don’t really dance anymore, you’ll want to sway to the music.”
Admittedly, getting The Lyric Singers on the same beat was a challenge for Ursan during rehearsals beginning in early February. Ursan said some members were reluctant at first to get groovy with the music, but she helped them along.
“Everybody is really enjoying it,” she said. “They are having a great time finding their teenage selves.”
A four-piece band featuring Ben Redant (piano), Ryan Bennett (drums), Mark Lemmerick (bass) and Mark MacLeod (guitar) will also be there to turn up the funk.
Ages in The Lyric Singers range from those in their mid 20s to people in their late 70s. The 12-member Class Act Junior Show Choir has kids from nine to 15 years old. Ursan said enthusiasm came more naturally for the junior singers.
“Kids, I find in a lot of ways, are easier to teach than adults. They just absorb things ... Adults become a little cynical — once they get into it the jump right in, but it takes them a smidge longer.”
Ursan has led the Regina Lyric Singers since they formed three years ago. Members of Regina Lyric Theatre Company thought it would be a good idea to form the choir, and Ursan was a natural choice given her involvement with the company for roughly 25 years.
The choirs meets on Wednesdays for a few hours. The artistic director said the benefits of these weekly rehearsals are significant.
“First and foremost, (the Lyric Singers) do it for a love of singing … It’s also about community and working with people who have the same likes and interests. I have made really close friends in this group. It’s really wonderful.”
Tickets for Groovin’ with the Lyric Singers are available at reginalyric.com and Bach & Beyond.