Back on song

St. Boniface

A St. Boniface-based choir is preparing to return to the public stage after a pandemic-induced hiatus.

La chorale Les Blés au vent is set to perform on Saturday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m. at La Paroisse des Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens (289 avenue Dussault).

Aline Campagne, the choir’s director, said the ensemble is keen to let the community know it’s still active and looking forward to resume performing in public as the world continues to adjust and adapt in light of COVID-19.

Campagne — who has been involved with the choir consecutively since 2006 having initially becoming involved briefly in the 1980s — said Les Blés au vent traditionally held an annual concert at this time of year before the pandemic protocols curtailed that. The last in-person-concert was in 2019; it was cancelled in 2020, then broadcast online in 2021 and 2022.

“It’s a community choir, and we try to get people to have fun with the music,” Campagne said, noting she’s hoping more young people will come out and experience the energy of the choir and the collective experience moving forward, although she acknowledges this isn’t always easy.

“We’re excited to be back on stage, and to have our family and friends be there to share this. Being part of a choir is special because you’re singing and collaborating with other people,” she added. “Because of this, you have to listen to others, and be constantly aware of what is happening around you. The connection you build is very special, collective one.”

Campagne said the choir specializes in performing music by contemporary francophone artists, including Kelly Bado, Justin Lacroix and Alexis Normand, to name but three.

The choir currently consists of 45 singers, as well as musicians who play a wide range of instruments including cello, violin, guitar, bass, piano, flute, and accordion.

“We’re just happy to share this with people, and we want to make more people aware the francophone community is a very musical community,” Campagne said.

Founded in 1974, the choir will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, and plans to celebrate the occasion are in the works and will be announced at a later date.

The May 27 concert will also feature a sing-along at the end, which is something the whole audiences enjoys and can get involved in, Campagne said.

At press time, there were a few tickets left. Email blesauvent@gmail.com for tickets, or more information.