Everybody is welcome to grab their ticket for this live music event
The Back Pew Boys are wrapping up their 2026 choir season with a spring performance, and everyone from the community is invited.
“They are a group of men of varying ages who come from (Selkirk and the area) who get together to sing, have fun and establish a camaraderie with the other men. Some of them do have some musical training and abilities, and some have had no training, but they like to sing,” explained Back Pew Boys Director Ishbel Moore.
The group has been singing together in our community for 25 years or so.
The music this year will not disappoint, as there will be a little bit of something for everyone. This music is chosen from the wide range of music that the choir learns each year.
“We have a wide range of songs. One of the things I try to do as a director is to bring them music they might not otherwise choose for themselves. But I also take into consideration any options for songs that they bring to me,” said Moore.
“This year, for instance, we are doing a little version of the Anvil Chorus, which is from an opera, and we are also doing a selection of Johnny Cash songs, and all manner of things in between. And, we do always include quite a few that are with the religious or spiritual event, because there’s always some beautiful harmonies,” she said.
Though there are going to be some religious songs and the event is taking place in Selkirk United Church, you don’t have to be a member of the church or any church to enjoy the show, as everyone is welcome.
The spring concert takes place on May 7, starting at 7 p.m. with doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. The concert will be about 1.5 to 2 hours of great musical fun.
In addition to the Back Pew Boys, this year’s performance is going to be a little special as the group has invited some special guests to take part. Three local musicians, Tim Longbottom, Lloyd Thomas, and Garth Reid, will be performing, and Earl Tustin will be there with his electric washboard.
Another change to the lineup this year is the choir’s new accompanist, Grade 12 Comp student Kaylin Lambrechts, who stepped into the role this year.
“Kaylin is a wonderful pianist who is going to be entertaining the audience this concert with a classical guitar piece as well because she also plays classical guitar,” said Moore.
She hopes that attendees come out and get to feel the joy that the band feels when they are singing together.
“We are there to have fun and to share our love of music and our joy in singing with the audience, and to give them the opportunity to sing along with us to some of the numbers. And as always, I’m looking forward to it being a fun night,” said Moore.
Moore explained that her favourite part of the concert is seeing the months of work by the group come together.
“When it all comes together, all those months, sometimes of struggle. Every choir, it doesn’t matter who they are, even the best of choirs have weeks where they’re slogging their way through the notes, but at the end, at the concert, when they’re all standing up there, and they realize that this is it. And when a song goes well, and the audience interacts right away at the beginning, the look on the faces of the choir members is so rewarding,” she said.
This is the ultimate night when the choir gets to play for the audience, and it’s something to see.
Moore hopes that residents take time to stop by and enjoy the show and advises that people grab their tickets early, as last year’s event was well attended.
“If you want to get a ticket, and you probably should do so soon, you can get them from any of the choir members that you might know, or you can contact me at 204-482-8271,” said Moore.
You can also email bpbchoir@gmail.com for tickets, but also if there are any men who might be interested in joining the choir this September, you can also email them to learn more about how to get involved.
