Citizens' Choir
The choir , initially formed in March 2012 as an attempt to provide a choral contribution to a gospel concert, has been adopted by the Band Association and formally became the Parrsboro Citizens' Choir in May 2012 and is now a vital and energetic part of the Parrsboro Band Association.
At its first performance after the gospel concert, the choir dispelled any belief that it would be a 'gospel choir' by performing a series of secular pieces which surprised many with the challenging and entertaining repertoire.
Since its inception the choir has sought out additional opportunities to perform, appearing at the annual tree lighting celebration, at Ottawa House on Canada Day with the band, at the annual Spring and Christmas concerts, at the band stand on Band Day and indeed on its own one Sunday evening. For the past two years it has been seen up and down Main Street, caroling in various businesses in support of the Board of Trade's annual 'Heritage Weekend'.
The choir even went to far as to perform a 'flash mob' in the Co-op before moving up to the Care Unit to perform for the residents there.
In 2014 the choir staged its first full choral concert and repeated it again in 2015 and even more successfully in 2016.
The choir is non-auditioned community group and is open to any and all who simply enjoy singing. Members do not necessarily need to be able to read the music (as they do learn as they rehearse and perform). The intent of the choir is that the choir will perform to a high level which retaining its single goal: to have fun.
The choir rehearses only twice a month, on the second and fourth Thursdays and the doors are open to anyone who wishes to just come in and join.
If there is anyone willing and able, and who might like to participate in this vibrant and fun group, please come out and join us. We would love to see you.
If you are interested in more information about the choir, visit https://sites.google.com/view/parrsboro-citizens-choir/home
09 September 2021 CHOIR COMPLETES SEVEN VIRTUAL PERFORMANCES
During the time in hiatus due to the restrictions put in place to deal with the pandemic, the choir continued to create virtual performances, seven in all, which are now posted to YouTube. One featured Timi Levy providing an exceptional violin obligato to the performance of a "Celtic Silent Night" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgxq28FrpfM) while another incorporated members of The Hall's improv jazz ensemble. In this way we attempted to keep music alive for the choir during the pandemic. One of the most widely viewed videos was "Farewell to Covid 19", initiated by one of the choir members, Randy Mosher, and added to by other members of the choir. Set to the tune of 'Farewell to Nova Scotia this video has been viewed over 50,000 times, and was mentioned on CTV national and local news. Great fun to make, it is obviously great fun to view as well. Check it out.
09 October 2020 FIRST VIRTUAL PERFORMANCE COMPLETE
The choir has just completed it's first ever virtual, socially-distanced performance. What started with a great deal of trepidation on the part of most ended up being a fun way of reconnecting everyone in the middle of the pandemic shut down. We are now going to take on another.
To view this performance you can go to the Live Web Events page, Virtual Open Mic X or you can follow this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYJtoVJRg5M&feature=youtu.be
01July 2019 CITIZENS' CHOIR AT OTTAWA HOUSE FOR CANADA DAY
The Parrsboro Citizens' Choir once again represented the Band Association at the Canada Day celebrations at Ottawa House. While the weather failed to cooperate completely a good turnout sang along as the choir presented several much loved tunes.
There was of course a special anniversary piece of music prepared by the choir to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Handley-Page crash landing. The audience responded with laughter when we tore off into a rendition of "Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines"
14 June 2019 CITIZEN'S CHOIR PART OF A MUSICAL CELEBRATION
The Parrsboro Citizen's Choir was one again pleased to be part of a celebration of Spring into Summer in Springhill on Thursday evening, June 13th.
In what is becoming an annual event the choir was one of three choirs and a men's vocal group, along with several solo and duet performances to celebrate an evening of song. The evening was capped with all the voices joining together for two songs being performed by close to 80 voices, and of course the audience joining in with pleasure and enthusiasm.
(See one of the performances by the massed choir here.)
Many thanks to Jim Scopie for once again inviting us to participate and enjoy this wonderful evening of music.
08 July 2018 CITIZENS' CHOIR ENJOYS OLD FASHIONED SATURDAY NIGHT
Saturday night saw the Parrsboro Citizens' Choir out to take part in the festivities of OFSN. Starting at the bandstand to see the unveiling of the fabulous new sculpture which will grace the corner of the park, they had to skip the cake and treats to move down to the bank parking lot to spend the next 45 minutes providing participants with a variety of old rock'n roll songs.
It was great fun to once again participate in this event which saw perfect, if breezy weather fill Main Street with a great crowd.
One more summer event awaits the choir's participation: Band Day at the bandstand on July 22nd.
01 July 2018 CITIZENS' CHOIR PERFORMS AT THE OTTAWA HOUSE
Canada Day celebrations were held once again this year at Ottawa House, and once again the Parrsboro Citizens' Choir was in attendance to provide some musical entertainment and lead the attendees in the singing of the national anthem while the flag was being hoisted.
Musical selections were made which would encourage audience participation in the singing, and one medley of tunes remembered the 100th year since the ending of WW I.
The choir is pleased and honoured to be included in this celebration every year, looking forward to being able help celebrate Canada's birth date.
26 May 2018
CHOIR CONTRIBUTES TO SPRING CONCERT
The annual Spring concert at The Hall was well attended and the community music programmes being offered by the Association were well represented. The choir opened the evening with several numbers, covering a wide variety of genres, tempi and styles and was well received by a very appreciative audience.
https://www.facebook.com/tommy.strutz/videos/2058130404215998/