Soundbone Folksong Choir
The Soundbone Folksong Choir (SFC) is a non-auditioned choral group for adults who share a love of traditional and contemporary folk songs from Newfoundland and Labrador.
Directed by traditional musician/music educator, Jean Hewson, with assistance from singer Madison Mouland. Read more about the directors
Date/Time:
Thursdays, 7:30-9:30pm
Oct 7, 2021 to Dec 9, 2021 (10 weeks)
Location:
IN PERSON: Wesley United Church Hall, Patrick Street/Hamilton Ave, St. John’s, NL
(Google map)ONLINE: Classes will be recorded and made available afterwards to participants only.
Materials: Included in cost. Practice-audio files and sheet music will be distributed electronically.
Cost: $150. Reduced rate ($100) is available for low-income/underemployed participants. Sponsorship also available; please inquire.
Requirements: No audition or previous experience is required to join; music-reading ability is helpful but not necessary.
Details and registration information
Founded in the winter of 2020, the SFC was forced to shut down due to the pandemic. The Choir will be restarting in October 2021 with an in-person and online program that supports safe singing while adhering to public health guidelines.
The ten-week fall program will include workshop-style sessions covering multiple topics such as the stylistic elements of traditional singing, storytelling, repertoire and harmony. Adult singers of all abilities and musical backgrounds are welcome. It isn’t necessary to be able to read music to take part in the choir, although sheet music will be provided for the songs. Audio recordings of all the parts will also be available. The program will culminate in an informal performance (date to be announced later).
The sessions will take place at Wesley United Church Hall on Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9:30 PM, beginning October 7 and ending December 9, 2021. Each class will be recorded (video of directors, audio of participants) to accommodate those who live abroad or singers who do not wish to participate in-person. The recordings will be made available on the Choir’s website, to participants only, for the duration of the program.
The fee for the 10 sessions is $150, payable in advance by e-transfer or credit card. A reduced rate ($100) is available for those who need it – please inquire if you need a further reduction.
Fees includes sheet music for the song arrangements, audio recordings of the vocal parts and access to video recordings of all the sessions. Participants can take part in-person, online or both.
COVID-19 protocols
As singing is considered a high-risk activity for transmission of COVID-19, we feel strongly that we have to do our part to ensure all participants are protected.
Participants who plan to attend in-person classes, as well as directors, must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination when registering.
The rehearsal venue will provide all participants with the ability to maintain safe, social distancing.
Participants attending in person will be asked to self-assess before each session and are requested to stay home and attend online if experiencing any symptoms.
According to the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Health mandate on Sept 17, masks must be worn by all participants and directors at all times.
All materials will be provided in advance as downloads (PDFs). No sheet music will be handed out at rehearsals.
There is a presently a limit of 25 choir members who may attend the in-person sessions.
If public health guidelines change over the course of the program, the SFC will adapt to accommodate any new directives.
Questions?
For more information about the Soundbone Folksong Choir, contact Eric West at 709-670-3377, or info@soundbone.ca .