Squamish's downtown rang with angelic voices as the second season of the Sound Youth Chorus began Sunday (Sept. 26), and it will keep ringing as a second group joins in on the weekly practices at the Pavilion Park's Arts Council Building.
The first group is the Sound Youth Chorus, which is comprised of girls ages 13 to 18.
Under the direction of Kelly Coubrough, the chorus had an exciting first year.
"The Sound Youth Chorus had a lot of performing opportunities that culminated in being given the honour of singing at the Olympic Torch Ceremony in Squamish," said Coubrough.
And this year promises the same excitement and talent, she said.
"We have a good group of energetic youth who continued to impress me with how much they learned in such a short time."
The Youth Chorus focus is on singing in two and three-part harmony in a variety of repertoire from jazz to sacred to folk. Throughout the year, the girls will have opportunities to perform throughout the community within the group and solo.
Coubrough holds a Bachelor of Music in voice performance and has been teaching private singing lessons in the area for the past five years. She is also an active performer with the Vancouver Opera Company and performs locally and around Canada as a professional singer.
And new this year is an extension of The Sound Chorus, The Sound Children's Chorus, led by Melissa Braun.
The group is open to boys and girls aged nine to 12, and is designed as an introduction to choral singing. The main emphasis is on skill building with an introduction to singing in parts and reading music.
"There is a need in Squamish to teach kids and youth the basics of choral singing," said Braun. "It is an important skill for a child. Choral singing teaches listening and team building, with the ultimate goal of performing in a safer and less intimidating way than singing alone."
Braun is well known to the Squamish community as artistic director of Broadway or Bust Musical Theatre programs and summer camps. She holds a Bachelors of Music and Education degrees and has been teaching private singing and piano lessons in the area for five years. She also performs locally and in Vancouver and has been the musical director for Fighting Chance Productions.
The children's chorus meets Sundays from 5 to 5:45 p.m. at the Squamish Arts Council Building in Pavilion Park on Cleveland Avenue followed by the Sound Youth Chorus from 6 to 8 p.m.
For more information please contact Kelly Coubrough at 604-849-0708 or [email protected], or Melissa Braun at 604-815-1728 or [email protected].
