CE News 25 Jan 26

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News that Andre is going for surgery came as quite a surprise and the board would like to wish him well in his upcoming surgery (Monday) and to let you know that Gordon Miller as agreed to step into the role of Artistic Director in the interim. I'm sure most will remember Gordon as he was our AD prior to Andre. Please welcome him on Wednesday, at the Langford Masonic Centre at 7 pm.

Andre had requested auditions for the small group to occur on Wednesday, but in light of this being Gordon's first night with us, that may not occur. Please come prepared to audition, but also be prepared to delay the auditions until Gordon has a chance to acclimate with us.

Diane has advised that there have been and will be some changes to the calendar. Please review for updates, and because Gordon is coming to us short notice, the long rehearsal on 12 April will have to be moved. Stay tuned for updates on a new date/location.

Diane also collected a black water bottle from the front row at CLA. She will bring it on Wednesday, so please see her to get it back. This is also a good time to remind people to check the area around you for belongings before you leave as we cannot guarantee their safe return.

Thank you to everyone who has signed up for a task (or two!). There are still many spaces that require a name, and as this is a completely volunteer organization, everyone needs to lend a hand. When the tasks don't get chosen, they will end up on the board's shoulders and the board already has at least 10 apiece. If you are unsure what the volunteer duties entail, ask one of the board members. Sherry, Diane, Sally, Joscelyn, Jackie, and Adriana are willing to advise.

We also need to think about succession planning for the next board: the new board will be voted in at the AGM held in May/June. Please consider giving some time and thought to this important volunteer opportunity as we move forward with Choral Evolution. The current board is working on our Strategic Planning goals, vision, and mission. Very exciting and thought provoking.

If you have had any trouble with the recordings, please reach out. We use the recordings as a tool to help us rehearse so we are prepared when we all get together. You may have noticed that some of the singers may know a few of the songs....that is because they have been done before. Don't be discouraged! Use their knowledge of the song as a reference so that your own learning comes faster. We will all get there, promise!

See you Wednesday in Langford!

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News

CE News 15 Feb 26

By Sherry Walters • February 15, 2026

It's another beautiful day, although a bit cold, but a great time to go for a walk. And do you know what works great when walking? Keeping step with your music. If you don't know all the words, da-da-da, or la-la-la works great. Take some great deep breaths and sing. Pop in those earphone/earbuds and sing with your tracks or with the all voices track. Some of the songs are "earworms" so it is easy to learn and sing them. Last week I spoke out of turn by putting attention on the possibility of shirts for the choir for this show. It may occur, but I don't want anyone to be alarmed about the prospect of the shirt. We are still fact finding and are early enough in the season to be able to do something about an added cost. As we have more details, I will ensure they are shared with the group. Thank you to those who shared thoughts. Our first retreat/long rehearsal is fast approaching (Feb 28) so make sure you keep that day free and are able to attend. We accomplish a lot at these 4 hour sessions, so it is very appreciated when everyone comes. Section leads will keep notes so if there is anyone who cannot attend, please speak with your section lead to get the scoop. I have 1 person (thanks Mary) who is bringing goodies to the event. Any more takers? I will be asking at rehearsal for help. Everyone should have received the email from Andre to say he is healing remarkably well. I spent some time with him yesterday and can confirm that he is doing very well. Although he is on his healing journey, he will participate in some regard for our shows so we will get the opportunity to see him before next session. Just a reminder, this is flu and cold season....I let myself get stressed and run down and a cold found me. Now I get to deal with post nasal drip and sounding like a bass! If you are not well, please see the wellness policy and stay home to take care of yourself. If you are feeling better, please attend, wear a mask and sit off to the side/back so that you get the benefit of the lesson even if you can't (and probably shouldn't, as I learned) sing. Prevention is the best way to remain healthy, so wash your hands often. Hoping to see everyone in Langford on Wednesday at 7! Enjoy family day tomorrow.

CE News 8 Feb 2026

By Sherry Walters • February 8, 2026

Although I wasn't at rehearsal, I'm sure you had a good one. As I don't know what took place, I'll dedicate this blog to sharing information of what the board is working on and plans that are being prepared for the show. Diane has advised that we had a great attendance for the rehearsal so thank you to everyone. It is very appreciated by all that there is improvement in the "no talking" policy. I'd also like to direct attention to the wellness policy on the website. Please take an opportunity to familiarize yourself with this. This is also a call for the remaining participation spots on the "volunteer sheets" to be filled. The word volunteer is being changed to participation as we are a group of singers that must work together in all aspects to bring forward a performance: we must all participate to make it work! Because the theme of the shows will be "all request radio", we (the production team and board) are thinking that we need something to help people recognize us as a group. The idea of t-shirts with the CE logo on them will show us as a group and we can use them for other performances. It will involve extra cost, so some fundraising is not a bad idea. Remember us speaking of sharing your bottle cash with the choir? It might be a good idea to take your empties in and have the money for the t-shirt. I'm researching sources for printing our logo on the shirt (top left chest) and hoping to keep it local as well as cost friendly. More info will be coming soon. Once we have a cost number, if there is financial hardship around the purchase of the shirt, please speak to Jackie. We are trying something new with new members: each person has a mentor, someone to check in with for questions (not during rehearsal, of course) or to support them as we all learn. I would love some feedback from our new members if this is value-added. Reminder that the Retreat/Long rehearsal is coming up on 28 February and will be at St Rose of Lima church in Sooke from 9am to 1 pm. This is a good opportunity to work long stretches of music, get more familiar with the music and ask questions. It is a great opportunity to get ahead with your music, so please ensure you mark the date on your calendar. It is on the CE calendar on the website. We enjoy a break in the middle of the rehearsal where there is tea and coffee and goodies supplied by our members. If you would like to bring a snack for this event, please email me (labtech1963@gmail.com). It takes about 4-5 people bringing goodies. That's enough info for now. I'm going to go and try to get rid of this lovely cold that a few of us have succumbed to. See you Wednesday in Langford!

Director Notes

Copy of Rehearsal Notes for February 18th, 2026

By Adriana Test • February 17, 2026

Please look at all the words and associated rhythm of those words in SOMEBODY TO LOVE. My experience of this song with a previous choir was that I was NOT able to teach this to you in rehearsal. I became a success ONLY through your individual hard work and the work you did at sectionals. I will take NO credit for your ability to sing SOMEBODY TO LOVE. Yes, I can and I will help. But ... ... ... it's really all about you. Truly, don't worry about the rest. I am feeling comfortable with you and with the repertoire chosen and I am beginning to look forward to my Wednesday evenings with you. Gordon MORE THAN WORDS it was just a run through through last week ... we need to seriously look at the road map. SOMEBODY TO LOVE BLINDING LIGHTS BIBLICAL WANNABE LINK: Gordon Notes LINK: YouTube Playlist

Rehearsal Notes for February 11th, 2026

By adriana.morales • February 11, 2026

Hello everyone! Gordon’s rehearsal notes are available at the following link:: Gordon Notes . However, for those who prefer to view the details directly on the website, I’ll also be posting his comments here each week. Additionally, Gordon has created a YouTube playlist to help convey the style we’re aiming for. You can find the playlist here: YouTube Playlist Adriana. GORDON NOTES: SHINE: beginning to first time ending on PG 5 (20 min) HOTEL CALIFORNIA: review what we did last week and move on to the chorus at bar 33 then move on to second vs all the way to bar 57 (20 min) WANNABE: Pg 11 bar 43 to bar 51 (5 minutes) MORE THAN WORDS: looking at the whole piece as one. (20 min) GOOD VIBRATIONS: Page 9 (15 min) BUDAPEST: 61 to the end (10 min) SOMEBODY TO LOVE: ok, I guess we better get started, hey?