The Sound Youth Chorus is back for its second season and director Kelly Coubrough hopes this year will be as exciting as the last, especially with the addition of The Sound Children's Chorus.
The Sound Youth Chorus is comprised of girls ages 13 to 18, and is a great way for up-and-coming singers to improve their voices and range.
"The Youth Chorus focus is on singing in two- and three-part harmony in a variety of repertoire from jazz to sacred to folk," said Coubrough, who holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance and has been teaching private singing lessons in the area for the past five years.
"There will be performance opportunities and a chance for some solo work, if desired."
Coubrough admits last year's performances might be hard to top, considering the group had the honour of singing at the Olympic Torch ceremony in Squamish.
"We have a good group of energetic youth who continued to impress me with how much they learned in such a short time," said Coubrough.
Coubrough is an active performer with the Vancouver Opera Company. She performs locally and around Canada as a professional singer and said she loves working with young vocalists.
That's why she's excited to introduce The Sound Children's Chorus as an extension of The Sound Youth Chorus.
"This community choir is designed as an introduction to choral singing," she said, adding that it allows kids to get involved at a younger age.
The Sound Children's Chorus will be led by Melissa Braun and is open to boys and girls ages nine through 12.
"The main emphasis of the Children's Choir will be on skill-building with an introduction to singing in parts and reading music," said Braun, who is well known to the Squamish community as artistic director of Broadway or Bust Musical Theatre programs and summer camps.
Braun holds Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of 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 Sound Youth Chorus meets Sundays from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Squamish Arts Council Building in Pavilion Park on Cleveland Ave. For more information, contact Coubrough at (604) 849-0708.
The Children's Chorus will meet on Sundays from 5 to 5:45 p.m. at the same location. For more information, please contact Melissa Braun at (604) 815-1728.
Rehearsals begin Sunday (Jan. 23).
