Soundbone Folksong Choir

Winter 2023

Our choir will be taking new members in Fall 2024 - leave us your contact info to get an email notice at that time.

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: January 19 and 26; February 2, 9, 16 (NOT Feb 23rd); March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30.

  • 7:30pm - 9:15pm

  • Final Concert: Saturday afternoon April 1st

Location:

  • Wesley United Church, 101 Patrick St., St. John’s, NL (Google Map)

Materials: Included in cost. Practice-audio files and sheet music will be distributed electronically.

Special Events:

  • TBA

NEW REDUCED FEES FOR 2023

Cost: $70. Reduced rate of $50 is available for low-income/underemployed participants; for other payment arrangements, please inquire.

Requirements: No audition or previous experience is required to join; music-reading ability is helpful but not necessary.

Details and registration information

Soundbone Folksong Choir (SFC) is a choral group for adults who share a love of the traditional and contemporary folk songs of Newfoundland and Labrador.  Founded in the winter of 2020, the choir was forced to shut down due to the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown. During the 2021-2022 season, the choir had two successful 10-week sessions due to a combination of online and in-person rehearsals, and went fully in-person for Fall 2022.

The SFC is directed by traditional musician/music educator Jean Hewson with the help of Assistant Director Madison Mouland. 

The ten-week 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.

DATES AND TIMES

Rehearsals will take place in the basement of Wesley United Church on Patrick Street, Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9:15 P.M. from January 19th to March 30th. The fall session will end with a recital in the Sanctuary of the church on Saturday afternoon, April 1st.

Covid 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.

  • Masks must be worn while moving around inside the building, but can be taken off once in the choir room when participants are singing in place.

  • The rehearsal venue will provide all participants with the ability to maintain safe, social distancing.

  • Participants will be asked to self-assess before each session and are requested to stay home if experiencing any symptoms.

  • All materials will be provided in advance as downloads. No sheet music will be handed out at rehearsals.

  • If public health guidelines change over the course of the program, the SFC will adapt to accommodate any new directives. 

The fee for the 10 sessions, special events and concert is $70, payable by the second session by e-transfer, cheque or credit card. A reduced rate of $50 is offered to low-income/underemployed participants; for other payment arrangements, please inquire with Soundbone’s Artistic Director, Eric West, info@soundbone.ca.

Fee includes sheet music and lyrics in PDF format for the song arrangements, and audio recordings of the vocal parts for practice purposes.

Questions?

For more information about the Soundbone Folksong Choir contact choir director, Jean Hewson (phone 709-722-2863; email jean.hewson@gmail.com). For financial matters contact Soundbone’s artistic director, Eric West (email info@soundbone.ca; phone 709-670-3377).