In Squamish, spring showers keep many residents singing in the rain. The catchy tune, Singin' in the Rain, started life as a 1952 film and has since become synonymous with the arrival of April showers.
In the spirit of spring, Squamish's community chorus, the Sea to Sky Singers will perform Singin' in the Rain as part of two annual spring concerts Saturday (April 25) at the Brackendale Art Gallery at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday (April 26) at the Squamish United Church at 3 p.m.
"We will perform pieces of music that have to do with the rain," said Veronica McPhee, music director. "People can expect some classical, Broadway, pop and jazz music as well as some pieces that challenge the ears a bit more."
Over the last couple of years the Sea to Sky Singers have adopted a casual cabaret style for their performances. McPhee said the sets are broken up with more time for socializing with the audience.
A new addition to the spring concert is a sing-along session of some familiar favourites that McPhee said lets the audience join in the fun. The concerts also feature vocal and instrumental solos by members of the choir.
"People tend be delighted by our concerts. I think there is an assumption that community choirs from small towns are a lower calibre but we prove them wrong," McPhee said.
In fact, the 30-member Sea to Sky Singers has performed in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall. McPhee said the many members of the choir are extremely talented.
"We have scads of talent in the choir and it has been amazing to watch them grow together and improve every year," McPhee said. "It really amazes me."
The group did a preview of their Singin' in the Rain concert at the Wild at Art festival and received rave reviews. The Sea to Sky Singers is the only non-audition community choir in Squamish and McPhee said new recruits are always welcome.
"We are always looking for new voices to join us," McPhee said.
The spring concert signals the end of the 2009 season for the Sea to Sky Singers with the next season starting in the fall.
"We usually start up again the week after school starts but the dates are yet to be confirmed," said McPhee.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors, available at Highland Video and Billie's Bouquet or at the door. For more information on the Sea to Sky singers, check out www.seatoskysingers.net.
