Blogs

Our Path to Chorus Improvement Part 1

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In January Rob Macdonald, representing Adrian and the Music Team, presented a proposed '2024 AR Development Project' to the Board. The Board approved the plan enthusiastically.

The purpose of the project is to continue to focus on improving the chorus in 2024, building on the progress made to date. The 'Project' plan outlined repertoire plans, looked at 'Riser Ready' philosophy and requirements and outlined a plan involving coaching going forward to take us through our spring show, our May Division III event and to District Contest in October and beyond. It focused on music and performance and laid out a plan to improve the chorus in all aspects of both.

WHS Members Bring Christmas Songs To Calgary Hospices

Members of Western Hospitality Singers performed as a VLQ (or Very Large Quartet, consisting of 8 to 12 men singing in 4 part harmony), in the common areas and patients' rooms (on request) at six Calgary hospices on the evenings of December 5th, 6th, and 7th. This is an annual initiative, in co-operation with The Bearspaw Lions Club, to bring some Christmas spirit into the lives of palliative care patients and their loved ones, at a very meaningful time in their lives.

Vimy Ridge 100th Anniversary Commemoration at Centennial Legion

Members of Western Hospitality Singers attended the 100th anniversary Vimy Ridge commemoration at the Royal Canadian Legion Centennial Branch Sunday April 9th.

They performed the anthems O Canada and God Save The Queen, plus other chorus repertoire.

The Canadiana medley and The Maple Leaf Forever were particularly appreciated by the audience, many of whom were singing along.

In turn, our WHS guys sang along with Legion members on Pack Up Your Troubles and It’s A Long Way to Tipperary!

Singing Valentines

Singing Valentines are fun. Crystal works here in Calgary for a foundation that works with adolescent and adult autism. The sender of the Valentine was Larry, her boyfriend, from the Vancouver.
The quartet is the newly registered "Blend The Rules".
Matt could not make it today so Bob sang lead and Doug filled in on bari. Murray is tenor and Craig is bass.

Food Bank Benefits Big From WHS Christmas Show

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On Wednesday, January 11th, members of WHS again visited the Calgary Food Bank as volunteer workers.

This time they had a little something extra to contribute, in addition to their labour.

On behalf of Western Hospitality Singers, the volunteers presented a donation to assist the Food bank in its worthy efforts.

A cheque representing the $ 5,000.00 net proceeds of our Christmas shows was given to Food Bank CEO James Mc Ara.

First there's work - then it's not unusual for singing to break out.

WHS Sings at Calgary Hospices

A number of Western Hospitality Singers members sang for patients and their families at six Calgary hospices in the evenings of December 6th, 7th, and 8th.

The number of men who joined in a VLQ (Very Large Quartet) varied between 9 and 13 each night.

This is an annual outreach project for the chorus, sponsored and organized by the Bearspaw Lions Club.

We appreciate the opportunity to share the gift of song with those having a difficult Christmas season.

Spreading Christmas Cheer

A group of WHS members, informally known as the N.W.M.P. (North West Music Project) sang Christmas songs and carols at midday on Wednesday December 7th, at the Meals on Wheels driver appreciation luncheon, and then later for a senior card group at Corpus Christi Church.

Sing Canada Harmony Bursaries

Jeff Billo received a bursary to attend Harmony College North West.

Thomas Bates received a bursary to attend Harmony College North West and Harmony University.

Randy Peters : 1940 - 2016

“There are singers that we love as we sing our lives away…”

Randy Cornelius Peters is a singer who we all love. A gifted musician, a loving husband, an adoring brother, a doting uncle, a best friend, a tireless mentor, a favourite teacher, a humble man and a brilliant mind are qualities that hint at his essence.

2016 Alberta Harmony Platoon - March 12, 2016 in Red Deer

21 singers, representing all 4 Alberta BHS chapters, met in Red Deer on Saturday March 12, 2016 to participate in the second annual Alberta Harmony Platoon.

M.C. and organizer Murray Young got the ball rolling and kept it moving, assigning quartets, giving them names like "Instant Plastic", and drawing songs..

Singers were were assigned to quartets, and songs were drawn and assigned to each quartet from the 6 songs which had been learned in advance by the particiants.

The first round of singing featured a chance to rehearse the selected song, while rounds 2 and 3 songs were drawn and then performed immediately.

A good time was had by all and some fine singing ensued ( though not always perfectly for an entire song or by all 4 members of a quartet).

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