The Manitoba Choral Association (MCA) is welcoming choirs, performers and audiences alike to come together in a celebratory day of singing.
GATHER – an outdoor music festival – takes place on Saturday, October 1.
“It’s the first of its kind – we've never done anything like this,” says Manitoba Choral Association Executive Director Jenny Steinke-Magnus.
Featuring choirs from around the province plus other musical acts, workshops for singers, vendor booths and more, the event is designed to create a “celebratory atmosphere.”
“Over the last two-plus years, we’ve really been looking forward to getting back to in-person singing,” says Steinke-Magnus. “MCA has really wanted to do something to commemorate that momentous occasion.”
Rain or shine, audiences are invited to bring blankets, lawn chairs – perhaps a rain jacket! -- and enjoy a full day of music which includes performances by two collegiate choirs: the University of Manitoba Upper Voices and the Canadian Mennonite University Chamber Choir.
In addition to choral music, GATHER will also include performances by Indigenous drumming and singing group from the North End Women’s Centre Buffalo Gals, jazz manouche and early swing quartet Juvel, and a cappella vocal group Those Guys. There will also be workshops for singers facilitated by Anishinaabe traditional drummer and singer Cory Campbell, who will lead a workshop teaching the original song Gratitude, and yoga instructor Rose Van der Hooft, who will guide attendees in a morning yoga practice focused on breathing and mindfulness for singers.
Local singer/songwriter and “great friend to the choral community,” JP Hoe has also been engaged to perform, including a group choral finale, says Steinke-Magnus.
“We’ve invited the University of Manitoba Upper Voices and CMU Chamber Choir to sing along with him on stage. It’s going to be exciting!”
The festival, free to attend, takes place on Saturday beginning at 9:30 a.m at the Lyric Theatre in Assiniboine Park.