Riverwood Choir returns to rehearsing in-person

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/09/2022 (275 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There is a choir in Crescentwood that could be an antidote to the stresses of COVID, thanks to the healing power of singing in community. Riverwood Choir, a non-audition, non-denominational women’s choir reconvenes at 7 p.m. on Sept. 12 at St. Mary’s Academy, 550 Wellington Cres.

What better way to start the week than singing every Monday evening? Being centrally located with free parking doesn’t hurt, either. Sessions will be socially distanced in a well-ventilated, accessible main-floor room. The expectation is that singers will be vaccinated. Masks will be optional as of this writing.

Aware of the stresses of not being able to sing in person for two years, conductor Louise Enns knows everyone needs a dose of fun. Therefore she is celebrating the choir’s return with a happy trip down memory lane, programming a Beatles retrospective for the first term. She will also be teaching a most timely song, Beauty of the Earth.

She will be joined by accompanist Peter Fyne. Enns is musically trained and teaches piano. She says her music career “began early when I conducted the rhythm section in kindergarten.”

She’s from a musical family, participated in Winnipeg Music Festivals and went on to study conducting. Because she believes music is for everyone, Enns accommodates those who do not read music to learn by listening and practising. Enns says, “music is good for your mental health because it appeals to your heart.”

“My challenge,” says Enns, “is to attain a unified sound for the choir. Often the most difficult pieces become the favourites because we worked so hard to get it right.”

Riverwood Choir began in 1997 and has grown from its classical repertoire to include jazz, pop, folk, Broadway tunes and jazz numbers. Members come from all walks of life including music students.

Riverwood Choir is a feel-good choir on many levels. Besides the personal benefits of singing with others, each winter the choir shares that positive energy for those in assisted living residences. It also helps build a community within its membership, as Enns says “intermission during rehearsals is a favourite as singers get to know each other.”

Riverwood is a welcoming choir, and there is no charge for a few months for those who want to see if it is a good fit, after which there is a very nominal fee to help defray costs. Enns invites women to “lend your voice to make joyful sounds in community.”

To register or for more information, call or text 204-663-6595.