Those who are interested in being in a choir are invited to learn more
The Back Pew Boys want to fine tune their line up and are inviting residents from the local community to take part in the fun.
“They are a group of men who come together on Thursday evenings, starting in the fall and going to the spring, for the camaraderie of singing together and enjoying each other’s company while learning new music and preparing to perform it,” explained Back Pew Boy’s choral director Ishbel Moore.
To Moore’s knowledge, this is the only all-male choir in our local area and so this is a great chance to take part in a unique experience.
The Back Pew Boys choir started in 2003 when a group of men from Selkirk United Church were brought together for a Mother’s Day service. From there, Sheila Kaltenberger and George Plews approached Hazel Elderfield who agreed to become the first Director and they became a community-based group.
Residents should know that though the group continues to practise at the Selkirk United Church weekly, they are not a church choir and you don’t have to be a member of the church to be a member of the Back Pew Boys.
“[At a typical practice] we start about 6:45 p.m., and we do some vocal warm-ups. And I try also to give them specific exercises that would perhaps pertain and help a particular piece of music that we are going to be doing. And then we launch into whichever songs I choose to do,” said Moore.
She keeps the singers on their toes with a wide variety of music – old gospel, religious or classical pieces are included but also folk, pop, rock and roll, modern, and whatever else the Director puts in front of them. Members are also encouraged to suggest music selections.
All of this practice isn’t for nothing as the group performs at many events locally. Their usual events list includes performances at St. Peters Old Stone Church, Interlake Christmas Concert, Holiday Alley, and they host a Spring Concert in early May.
Moore feels that this group might be the perfect place for people in our community who would connect better with a male choir.
“The music tries to have maybe a more masculine flair, I tend to look for music that I think not only would suit the voices that I have to work with in the choir, but also that they might like to sing, and that would suit male voices. That’s not to say that we can’t sing other things, of course, but the advantages of being with just all men, for instance, versus what we call an SATB choir, the soprano, alto, tenor, bass, where there are women as well, means we can focus so much more on developing the male voice,” said Moore.
She also mentioned that there is a great deal of comradery that forms as part of the group which may appeal to some residents.
Something that Moore also thinks is important that residents know is that there is no requirement that you be able to read music to take part in the group and there is no formal auditioning process, so everyone is welcome, though you may have to sing a couple of bars of a simple song to give the Director an idea if you’re a tenor, baritone or bass.
The only requirement is a love of singing and Moore encourages those interested to reach out and give it a shot.
“I would like to see every man who has a desire to sing with a group and have fun doing it there. They shouldn’t hesitate to come. Maybe they don’t have any training, or maybe they can’t read music, or maybe they’re scared of any kind of an audition but don’t worry about that. Just come on out and see if this is for you. I don’t care what your musical background is, even if you don’t have a musical background, we’d be delighted to welcome you,” said Moore.
Practises take place on Thursdays from 6:45 to 9 p.m.. from September to early May. This coming season the first practice is on Sept. 5. Membership is $100/year and you can email BPBChoir@gmail.com or phone Moore at 204-482-8271 to learn more.
