Youth choirs are returning to Vernon and organizers are looking for singers

Photo: Contributed

Vernon youth are being invited to sing out loud.

For the first time in more than a decade, Vernon Youth Choirs are returning to the North Okanagan with three choirs to choose from - one auditioned and two non-auditioned.

All three choirs are currently accepting members.

Music directors Terry Logan, Jenn Britton and Angela Sommer have a wealth of experience working with youth choirs and many awards between three of them.

“Why start new choirs?” Logan asked. “There hasn’t been a local youth community choir since I conducted the Chantant Youth Ensemble which ended about 10 years ago. Jenn and I feel it is important to bring opportunities to sing good choral music to young people as well as performing with professional instrumentalists. We both have been involved in choirs most of our lives and know what a wonderful, enriching experience it is.”

Hope Sings! is an auditioned study and performance choir for 10-14-year-old singers under co-direction of Logan and Britton.

The hope in Hope Sings! is that children will grow to love choral singing and in the future may wish to join one of our many local adult choirs.

“Choirs have always been a place for me where we can sing and laugh together,” Sommers said. “From early childhood to adulthood, singing gives us joy. Choir members learn to listen to one another and develop rhythm, pitch, timing and team work.

“It is fun to have other music friends. Some of my best memories as a music teacher are the fun times we had as choir groups going into the community and singing for others at events. I truly believe that everyone can sing and a choir is the perfect place to explore that for all age groups.”

Singers with Hope Sings! will perform repertoires while learning vocal and choral technique. Rehearsals will be held on Mondays from 4 to 5:30 p.m., starting Sept. 12.

Auditions will be held Aug. 22 from 4 to 5:30 p.m., or by individual arrangement.

The Bumblebees and Fire & Ice choirs are for those who like to laugh, dance, sing, perform and have fun with friends.

The choirs will be directed by Sommer and no audition required.

Bumblebees is for five to nine-year-old singers and Fire & Ice is for 10 to 16 year olds.

Rehearsals are on Fridays, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. for the Bumblebees and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for the Fire & Ice.

All the rehearsals will be at the Peace Lutheran Church, 1204 - 30th Ave.

Tuition fees are $45 per semester.