The Victoria Good News Choir has a new venue, a new rehearsal time, and is looking for new members.
Starting Saturday, Jan. 16, the choir will be moving to the Cadboro Bay United Church, with rehearsals from 10 a.m. to noon. While the group has had 18 “wonderful” years at the Cordova Bay United Church, choir president Sue Coneys said the location’s lack of public transportation made evening rehearsals difficult for some members to get to.
“We were finding that having our Tuesday evening rehearsals was a little late for some of the children that were coming, hence the move to a Saturday morning rehearsal,” she said. “That supports both the younger folk who are interested in being in the choir and some of our more senior folk who were having some challenges driving at night.
“Cadboro Bay United Church is on a bus route and there are no hills and there is a lot of parking.”
As the choir gets back into the swing of things in 2016, Coneys said they’re opening the doors for more members. The group covers a variety of musical genres, including 16th century music, funk, gospel and rock ‘n’ roll.
No singing experience is required, nor does the group hold auditions, and prospective members are invited to visit a rehearsal before deciding to join.
“We are inviting grandparents, uncles, aunts, children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces to come and sing,” she said. “Choir director Louise Rose writes arrangements that incorporate children’s voices into the arrangements – they’re not just singing a child’s song, they actually sing with us.”
Seasonal or semester fees for families, adults, youth and first-time members are available on the choir website, though children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult member.
The Victoria Good News Choir Society is also looking for a volunteer treasurer to manage and report on the society’s finances.
For more information about the choir including a schedule of rehearsals, visit victoria goodnews choir.com, email info@victoriagood newschoir.com or call 250-658-1946.