An upcoming community concert by the Soul of the World Multicultural Choir marks the end of the government-sponsored project that started it.
But choir director Heidi McCurdy, well-known Peninsula singer, songwriter and voice coach, believes it could be just the beginning for the group, which has drawn as many as 60 participants at informal drop-in sessions, but has settled into a core group of some 30 “steady regulars.”
All, said McCurdy, share the joy of singing and a love for “the rhythms, poetic language and harmonies of the world.”
These will be spotlighted in abundance at the concert, Sunday, March 13 at 2 p.m. at the Kent Street Activity Centre auditorium, 1474 Kent Street.
Also showcased will be African drumming ensemble Joe Amouzou and Friends and a group of stellar local musicians who have formed the backup band for the choir, as well as drumming workshop leader Billy Knudsen.
“We sing in Swahili, Korean, German, French… we even have a Ukrainian blessing song,” McCurdy said, adding that while she has chosen, edited and arranged much of the material the choir performs members have also collaborated on arranging the material and creating new music with positive messages of peace and unity.
The project, which began in the summer of last year, was funded by a grant from the Embrace B.C. Arts Engagement project, which has aims to promote multiculturalism and combat racism through arts activities that involve communities.
It was an opportunity tailor-made for McCurdy, whose soulful jazz and pop vocals and compositions have always been influenced by world music and a wide variety of cultures.
Accompanied by pianist and music therapist Katherine Graff, the Soul of the World Multicultural Choir began informal gatherings in October of last year, and had its first public performance at the Elks Club as part of the Christmas on the Peninsula celebrations in late November.
Since that time, the group, which draws members from Surrey, White Rock and Langley, has had a number of private and public engagements in the area.
Members came together by dropping in to group sessions just for the fun of it, McCurdy said.
“Because we’re not an auditioned group, we have a wide range of voices and styles, but everybody loves singing,” she added.
Although March 13 marks the formal end of the project funding – and a cue for a flurry of paperwork by McCurdy – she believes the group, with some modifications, has potential to last long afterwards.
“One thing I’ve noticed is it’s really been a community-building experience and the feedback has been really positive,” she said.
“I think the participants have found that through singing they’re bringing happiness into life and they’re really enjoying sharing the culture of the group – and learning about each others’ cultures.”
For more information about the concert, call 604-538-7154, email music@heidimccurdy.com or visit www.harmonyartsandwellness.com