P.E.I.’s pop choir ready for fall

P.E.I.’s Playing with Choir offers adults who love to sing – but perhaps only do so in the shower – an opportunity to come together in a large group to learn simple three-part harmonies for popular songs of today and past decades and belt them out for the simple joy of singing.

Since it began in the fall of 2016, Playing with Choir has engaged over 250 participants. There are no auditions, no solos and no performances. The focus is on fun, and the 19-plus program is licensed.

Each night of the eight-week term, choir director Jill Chandler teaches one new song, breaking the group into three or more sections, each learning their part of the song’s harmony. By the end of the night it all comes together in a full-choir rendition that is videotaped and shared with participants.

The group is the brainchild of Emma Fugate, who loves to sing, but had no outlet to do so in a group. She heard about the worldwide trend of pop choirs and worked together with friends Kirstin Lund and Chandler, to bring the concept to P.E.I.

“Playing with Choir has been so much better than I ever hoped,” says Fugate. “You can feel the joy in the room and the resulting songs sound amazing. I can’t wait to share this experience with more people”

The fall 2017 term will include eight songs: “The Longest Time”, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, “Raise A Little Hell”, “Hooked On A Feeling”, “Faith”, “Brown Eyed Girl”, “You’re the One That I Want” and “Sweet City Woman”.

It will begin Oct. 10 at The Guild in Charlottetown. Tickets are available at https://playingwithchoirfall2017.eventbrite. ca or on the Playing with Choir facebook page.