Glowing Hearts Charity has announced the start of the Simcoe Youth Choir, which is open to all children in grades 3 to 8.
The program starts on Jan. 23 and runs on runs on Mondays till May 1 - registration is now open.
Rehearsals are at the Hillcrest Public School library from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:15 p.m.).
The 12-week program is $60 but Glowing Hearts will cover the fee for those who need financial assistance.
Sarah Fleming, board chair, told Barrie 360 that they saw a gap that needed filling.
"There aren't any community-based children's choirs in Barrie - there was one that existed before the pandemic but it hasn't resurfaced," Fleming said. "So, we wanted to use this opportunity to create a program."
Are there any requirements like prior singing experience?
"None at all, as long as they have a willingness to learn, participate, and get involved and attend rehearsals," said Fleming.
"We will work towards a final performance that we are still sorting out but no previous experience is needed. There's no need for music reading ability, no auditions, it's open to those who are just purely in grade 3 to grade 8."
Fleming noted there will be no rehearsals on school holidays and if there is a cancellation due to weather, an extra rehearsal will be scheduled for May 8th.
Cynda Fleming will be taking the reigns as director of the choir. She is a Toronto-based musician, conductor and composer, and is the sister of Sarah Fleming, who also has roots in the community.
She holds a Bachelor of Music, a Bachelor of Education (with teaching qualifications in vocal and instrumental music), a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance, a Master of Music in Education, and is currently working on a doctorate.
"She has a lot of experience leading church and community choirs, school choirs in Toronto and in York Region," said Fleming. "As well as over in Switzerland when she was a teacher at an international school."
Fleming says her sister's experience will be influential on the youth, and the choir overall is a win-win for the charity and participants.
"There are so many benefits to being involved in music education," Fleming said.
"The cost is a huge barrier to families and we don't want that cost to be a barrier for the kids that we support through Glowing Hearts. Being able to run a program like the choir also allows us, by having participants who are paying as well as those that we are covering the cost for, the potential to cover the program itself just by the participation in the program."
Fleming says the goal going forward is to have a fall choir that runs until December and then again, like this year, from January to May. And down the road, possibly incorporate instruments and other music programs into the choir.
Also on the schedule for Glowing Hearts Charity is an online silent auction, which went live on Friday, Jan. 13, and a Euchre night fundraiser on Jan. 20 at The Last Class at Georgian College Barrie Campus in J Building (Student Life Centre). Tickets are $20 and 100 per cent of the money that comes in through the Euchre night and auction will go towards programs like music and food initiatives.
Visit the Glowing Hearts Charity website for more information.
Banner image via Glowing Hearts Charity
