ChoirFolk

More about moving beyond show tunes and old traditions! Frank and Clayton discuss the massive success of this year's Unison Festival, bringing together over 1000 members of Canada's Queer/LGBTQ+ choral community.  Also, how to bring out the best in your choir's trans voices!  Additional Links: Frank's YouTube Page  (Lots of choir videos, including the Canadian Premier of Sorenson's Requiem discussed in the episode) Maple Ridge Chorus Website Rainbow Chorus of New Westminister Website ChoirFolk Jukebox Playlist Season Two: Apple Music Spotify    

My, how things have changed...sometimes for the better.  Choir leader Frank Zieginson joins Clayton to explore the evolution of the community choir over the past 100 years, from church origins to the Queer community. In part one, they discuss the unique histories of each of his community choirs and how he's worked to bring out their best. They also begin a deeper dive into Queer/LGBTQ+ choirs, including the Rainbow Chorus of New Westminster, and dispel some stereotypes about Queer choirs and show tunes.

Roxana shares the challenges she faces bridging musical cultures in Mexico and the joys of being part of a Mexican choir.  She and Clayton dive into Mexican musical traditions you may not have heard of, with some iconic Mexican ChoirFolk jukebox pics! Additional Links: Concert Performance of Sa'Nashi Ensamble Vocal Juvenil   Canto Coral México  ChoirFolk Jukebox Playlist Season Two: Apple Music Spotify    

Cultural roots run deep in Mexico.  Musical champion Roxana shares how she and her choirs bring her country's rich indigenous history to life for Mexican and international audiences, while Clayton learns a thing or two about Mexico's indigenous languages (there are 68 of them!).

Wendy and Clayton continue to explore her research on what can help singers overcome performance anxiety, including her new work with collaborative vocal improvisation and song circles.  They also touch on the good and bad of AI in the choral world, and Wendy gives a few great selections for the ChoirFolk Jukebox! Additional Links: Wendy's website  Just in Time Choirs  Wendy Nixon Stothert Originals:  30 Days of Vocal Warm-Ups with Wendy Epic Military Wives Choir performance at Invictus 2017 ChoirFolk Jukebox Playlist Season Two: Apple Music Spotify  

Doing amazing things with mutliple song communities on Vancouver Island, Wendy shares her journey from Tupperware-funded origins to leading a military wives choir at the Invictus Games. She and Clayton also begin an enlightening conversation on her personal experience with performance anxiety, and how collaborative vocal improvisation can help (more in Part Two!).

Karen shares stories of how gospel choirs can transform secular audiences and discusses her role with Choral Canada, Canada's largest choral organization, and how it's evolving to keep up pace with the times.  Plus, she has a few ChoirFolk Jukebox picks that will get you on your feet! Additional Links: Karen Burke's Website Toronto Mass Choir Official Site and YouTube Channel ChoirFolk Jukebox Playlist Season Two: Apple Music Spotify

Yes, it's a thing!  Canadian gospel has been uplifting and moving folks north of the border for decades with its own unique style.  Choir director extraordinaire Karen Burke and host Clayton Dyck explore its origins, her family's rich musical legacy, and how her Toronto Mass Choir gets audiences moved, and gets them moving!

We're back!  Host Clayton Dyck invites new guests to explore what makes community choirs tick and how singing together fosters joy, wellness and healthy communities worldwide.  Season Two premieres September 23!

A lot has changed for Sarina and the city of Minneapolis in these past few months.  Our previous guest returns to share an update on how the city's Singing Resistance movement stepped up during its recent ICE crisis, and how it went viral across the continent (including a Brandi Carlile concert!). Additional Links: Singing Resistance National Instagram Page Singing Resistance Groups in North America Singing Resistance Songbook Weekend of Action Toolkit ChoirFolk Jukebox: Apple Music Spotify