Sweet sound of voices rings out across city

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Rainbow Harmony Project choir’s Saturday concert is a nod to the songs of ABBA.

Stop, hey, what's that sound? Choirs singing all around.

It's true. Wherever you look in Winnipeg, there's a choir holding a concert. There are groups catering to different musical tastes, ages, ethnic groups, religious affiliations, abilities and communities.

On top of that, there are some truly wonderful visiting choirs like the world-renowned King's Singers hosted by the Winnipeg Singers in March and the Vydubychi Church Choir from Kyiv, Ukraine, which performed this past Monday to a packed Westminster United Church.

The 21 polished singers performed sacred and folk music in pristine a cappella harmony and the local Ukrainian community was out in force to hear them. Founded in 1990, at the beginning of the revival of Ukrainian Orthodoxy, the choir was one of the first in Kyiv to reinstate the singing of divine liturgies in the Ukrainian language.

Under the dual direction of co-founder Volodymyr Viniar and assistant conductor Zenovii Palamar, the group displayed great versatility, moving quickly through a program of all-Ukrainian composers, including the revered O. Koshetz, for which a popular local Winnipeg choir is named.

Their distinctive old-world quality comes from the unique timbres of their voices. Resonant basses, rumbling out the deepest notes, reedy, but fresh, clear sopranos, insistent tenors and solidly dark altos adapted easily from prayer-like and gentle to hearty and joyful.

Steeped in tradition, they surely made many hearts stir with cultural pride.

Proud to sing

Speaking of pride, there's a light-hearted concert taking place this Saturday at Knox United Church, 400 Edmonton St. The Rainbow Harmony Project is presenting "Thank you for the Music" and yes, that is a nod to the greatest Swedish pop group of all time, ABBA. Seven top ABBA hits, including Waterloo, Dancing Queen, S.O.S., and Take a Chance on Me are in the program.

Other selections include Connie Kaldor's gorgeous Wood River, Sarah McLachlan's Angel and the Kenyan folk song Wana Baraka. There's even a tongue-in-cheek number entitled Some of My Best Friends are Straight.

Yes, it's that rainbow. The Rainbow Harmony Project (RHP) is a choir made up of people who love to sing and who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered (GLBT). They rehearse weekly under the expert guidance of retired St. James-Assiniboia School Division teacher and music co-ordinator Vic Hooper. Earlier this year, they won the Helga Anderson Trophy in the Winnipeg Music Festival for most outstanding performance by an adult community choir.

The choir started in 1999. I asked the choir president, Leah McIsaac, why it was important to have a group like RHP. "To let people know we're out there," she replied. "To make them aware through our music what our struggles and challenges are."

McIsaac explained that there is a bit of security in a community group of this kind. "Music is a good way to bring people together. I started as a member of the board three years ago as a non-singing member, attending rehearsals and helping out. But after hearing the wonderful music I decided I wanted to sing, too. I may not have the best voice, but I enjoy it. We are also proud of the fact that we embrace non-gay supporters."

There are no auditions for RHP. You just have to love singing. McIsaac describes the group as "a collage of ages and genders."

Does the fact that most members are GLBT influence the choice of music? "To a certain extent," said McIsaac. "We're trying to send a message but don't want to be militant." RHP also performs jazz, traditional seasonal music (for their winter concert) and works representing different cultures.

Hooper has been artistic director for the past six years. "He provides our inspiration," said McIsaac. "He has the vision and such a creative mind to take the words on the page and turn them into something pleasing for the audience. He challenges us and encourages us to step beyond our comfort level and he manages to engage what is sometimes a pretty unruly crowd."

The group has even tackled some choreography to go with the ABBA tunes. "It's a real challenge," laughed McIsaac. "But it's fun and we're enthusiastic. We're bound and determined we'll make it work perfectly."

RHP has great audience support, averaging 400-450 people per concert. "We are very well received," said McIsaac. "Just imagine 50 people doing disco choreography on risers."

They'll likely have some people dancing in the aisles.

The concert starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15, and available at McNally Robinson Booksellers, The Happy Cooker, Rainbow Resource Centre, at kwiktix.ca or at the door.

gwenda.nemerofsky@shaw.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 12, 2011 D5