Iconic choral program will bring singers from across the province together in song
WINNIPEG, Jan 11/23 – After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Manitoba Choral Association (MCA) will once again hold their flagship program, Manitoba (MB) Sings, to bring together singers from across the province for an inspiring weekend full of singing and community building. The three-day event will take place January 27-29 on Treaty 1 Territory at Gordon Bell High School and Portage Avenue Church in Winnipeg.
Once a year, MB Sings (formerly Provincial Honour Choirs) draws youth and adult singers together from all over Manitoba and the surrounding regions to discover the joy and pleasure of choral singing. The weekend focuses on intensive rehearsals where singers learn interesting and challenging repertoire with accomplished conductors from across North America. There are no auditions to join the MB Sings Choirs and registration is open to all singers Grades 5 and up, regardless of experience or singing ability!
The program has had a positive impact on singers' lives, and many come back each year because the program is a place to share their passion for group singing. Asa one 2020 participant said, the program "gives me the chance to be part of a choral community. Being so fully immersed in music and sharing the love of music builds such a sense of community that I get to be a part of."
The 2023 MB Sings program will run from Friday, January 27 to Sunday, January 29 and will welcome guest conductors: Dr. Melissa Morgan (Regina, SK), Alisa Wiebe (Winnipeg), Jorrel Camuyong (Winnipeg), and Nancy Gomes Fast (Niverville). Rehearsals take place at Gordon Bell High School (Winnipeg) Friday evening and all-day Saturday. On Saturday evening, singers and their families are invited to participate in a “Saturday Night Live” event that sees a performance from a local professional ensemble, as well as musical acts from the singers themselves.
After an uplifting weekend of learning music and building community, on Sunday afternoon singers take the stage to present a final concert where they share what they have learned with family and friends. This year's finale concert will take place at Portage Avenue Church (Winnipeg), and will feature guest choir Horizon (Winnipeg) singing the 2022 winning composition of the Frances Seaton Choral Competition, Refraction, by Manitoba composer Leanne Cooper-Carrier. MCA expects to welcome a large in-person audience from around the province to the finale concert and is excited to now offer a live-streaming option for viewers outside of Winnipeg. Tickets for the finale concert can be purchased online or at the door.
“This flagship program has been around for 38 years and has always been called Provincial Honour Choirs” MCA Executive Director, Jenny Steinke-Magnus said. “To reflect the more inclusive nature of the program, and as a nod to our former tagline ‘Manitoba Sings’ we decided to rebrand the program to be called Manitoba Sings.” The MB Sings Choirs are not auditioned, and the purpose of the event is to have fun, meet new people, and learn and sing together for a weekend. “This name better reflects the fact that the program welcomes singers from all over the province from all backgrounds and ability levels.”
MCA encourages all Manitobans Grades 5 and up, regardless of experience or singing ability to register and take part in the first MB Sings since 2020! Alternatively, MCA invites all those who enjoy choral music and want to show their support to the choral community to join us at the MB Sings Finale Concert on Sunday, January 29.
MCA is grateful to Triple E Recreational Vehicles, The Winnipeg Free Press, and Long & McQuade Musical Instruments for making this event possible. More information on MB Sings can be found at: mbchoralassociation.ca/mb-sings.
Manitoba Choral Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting, strengthening, and promoting the choral arts in Manitoba.
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Contact: Jenny Steinke-Magnus, Executive Director
Phone: 204.942.6037
Email: info@mbchoralassociation.ca
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