Pitch perfect

Niakwa Park

River Heights

Linden Woods

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/11/2024 (295 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As the Winnipeg Boys’ Choir tunes up for two upcoming Christmas concerts, and key players reflect on its longevity, organizers are hoping to turn the collective songbook back a few pages and hear from members of the choir’s alumni in this landmark season.

The 2024-25 season marks the 100th anniversary of the choir, a significant milestone in Winnipeg’s choral community. Believed to be Canada’s oldest independent boys choir, the group — currently comprised of more than 50 members — is guided by longtime artistic director Carolyn Boyes and conductors Albert Bergen and Spencer Duncanson.

“I feel proud and grateful that we’ve kept our organization going,” said Boyes, who’s been the choir’s artistic director for 27 years. “We’ve had our ups and downs and ebbs and flows in terms of membership, and we’re proud we’ve persevered.”

Pointing to the challenges imposed in 2020 by the pandemic when COVID-19 impacted the world, the River Heights resident said the choir stayed committed and strong, continuing weekly rehearsals on Zoom during the restrictions.

One example demonstrating the spirit and togetherness of the group during that period was a Christmas party that was held digitally.

“We visited homes and dropped off a present, and everyone opened their gifts on the screen at the same time,” said Boyes, a choir teacher at Sisler High School.

“That took a lot of energy and creativity, but I think it paid off,” she added, noting the choir’s members generally range between ages six and 21. “I’m so proud, as it’s taken a lot of heart and sweat to still be around in our 100th year.”

Boyes said one of the “magical” elements of the choir is that, loosely speaking, it time-stamps the lifespan of a young singing voice before adolescence takes over and voices change and become deeper. And after more than two-and-a-half decades, she’s as passionate as ever.

“We know that each young voice has a unique lifespan … and there’s a magic in that purity of sound that connects them the audience. There’s a window of time to enjoy it, which also represents a period when they’re learning all sorts of things,” Boyes said.

“I love the sound. I love being surrounded by the sound. At concerts, I love marvelling at, and being surprised by, what these boys can achieve,” she added.

“I love creating opportunities that give young people the chance to learn about themselves and grow. I feel so blessed.”

WBC board member and fundraising chair Ina Prokipchuk has been involved with the choir for the last 10 years, during which her son, Michael, now 20, was a member. He started its 90th season as a chorister.

“It’s been a great decade and part of our family life,” said Prokipchuk, who lives in Niakwa Park. “It’s been an amazing experience to part of an organization with such a rich history. I think it’s one of the best kept secrets in Winnipeg.”

She said organizers are appealing to alumni to take part in upcoming concerts and lend any memorabilia they might have to be displayed in a memorabilia gallery at the choir’s anniversary celebration weekend in May 2025.

“We’re doing our best to collect what we can,” Prokipchuk said. “It could be uniforms, concert programs, or posters, for example. We’re trying to get our hands on as much as possible. If people have any of these things, we’d like to acquire them, and we’d like to share their stories. If you have memorabilia, we’d love to meet you and connect. And if you’re alumni and interested in singing with us at Christmas or next May, or considering being in the audience, we’d love to hear from you.”

The choir, along with a number of musicians, will perform two concerts this season. Christmas with the Boys will be presented Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. and Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. at Crescent Fort Rouge United Church (525 Wardlaw Ave.) The May celebration concert is called All the Way Home.

Michael Prokipchuk is one alumnus who will return to sing with the choir at next month’s shows

“My time with the Winnipeg Boys’ Choir was really special,” said Michael, who wrapped up his formal involvement with the singing group last spring. “We had great artistic direction from Carolyn and the other conductors.”

Michael said he always had an interest in musical theatre and choir, and that the WBC gave him the platform to explore this passion and meet like-minded people.

The Windsor Park Collegiate alumnus took part in several of the school productions, including The Wizard of Oz, Little Shop of Horrors, and Mamma Mia.

Go online at winnipegboyschoir.ca for more information, or to buy tickets for the Christmas concerts.