choral-evolution

CE News 26 April 26

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 02:55:15 GMT

Well, it's the last blog before the shows! How exciting that we will get to see all our hard work come together and that we can share with family, friends and hopefully the rest of our fan club! It is really important to make the dress rehearsal (in you concert attire of your blue CE shirt, black pants/maxi-skirt): so many updates happen at the dress rehearsal where we run through the show and fix things. Please wear comfortable shoes as we will be standing for most of the evening. Call for dress is at 6 pm at St Mary's on Metchosin Road--check the schedule for the updated location and Dress Rehearsal Map (thanks Adriana!). The times that everyone is expected to be at the venue for the shows are listed in the members area under the schedule as well. Stay healthy! We are almost there and really need everyone for the show.

If you haven't sold the show to friends and family....let's get to it. Share with collogues, people at the coffee shop, long lost cousins, everyone. The show will be fantastic and you should be proud of it. Invite everyone you know. Tickets are on the website, at the dress reheasal (Jackie) and at the door. Lets fill those seats.

We (the board) will talk a bit about the upcoming AGM on Tuesday. We'd like to have a BBQ and then sneak in a half hour for the AGM. And maybe some of the next session music will be available????Details will be coming. Sheila will be sharing when and where to turn in your music from this session. I don't have details yet about that, so stay tuned.

Marj, our event planner, is working on a venue for after the show at the JdF. It is always a good time, so please consider attending. It gives us a chance to debrief the show as well as get to know one another better. Hope to see you there.

We will be sending out a big THANK YOU email listing everyone who performed a job this session. It would never have happened without you.

That is it for now....my brain is fried trying to keep all the concert ducks in a row for the tasks I have signed up for....see you Tuesday in Metchosin at 6.

CE News 19 April 2026

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 18:00:56 GMT

Thank you for the great turn out on Saturday; it is incredibly important to be at the remaining rehearsals as now we nit pick the songs to make them just right. If you miss one, you miss a lot! We have 1 full rehearsal and then the dress rehearsal, then the SHOWS! Wow, it feels like it has crept up on us, but your production team has been on top of it making plans to make us look and sound good. There will be many jobs around the shows and an email will be sent to remind people what they signed up for. Thank you to everyone for pitching in and making this session a success. Two people brought friends to the "bring a friend night" so here's hoping they might like to join us in the fall!

Please continue to review your music often, especially reviewing the trouble spots that Gordon pointed out yesterday. I know how hard you are working, but when one part doesn't sound right, the whole sounds bad. Keep working! You will get it and we will be reviewing next Wednesday....starting with Hotel California just as Gordon said.

What a difference having the guitar playing with us! Thank you, Andre for filling that hole. We will also have percussion for the show and Gabe will lead his "band" with the expertise he has always had.

A big thank you to everyone who brought goodies to share on our break: Kristin, Shawna, Earl and Jan...and I noticed a couple others sneak some food in there too, so thank you! If you haven't seen Facebook lately, I encourage you to check it out for Choral Evolution. Emily has done a great job promoting us and adding content to keep us active in everyone's threads. Thank you, Emily!

An email has come detailing the walk before rehearsal on Wednesday. Please join if able and get to know your choir members. Marj is preparing soup for after the walk. Enjoy!

The board meeting that was open to everyone was unfortunately attended only by the actual board. If there is a position you are interested in, please speak to the current board members: Diane, Sherry, Sally, Joscelyn, Adriana and Jackie. The board exists to ensure the choir governance is maintained. It is a necessary part and it would be great to have new blood! The board is planning to have a BBQ in June to celebrate our show, to have fun getting together again before next session, hopefully getting the new music and having a quick AGM. It will be a fun time, so plan on it for mid June.

See you on Wednesday in Sooke!

CE News 12 April 26

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:33:52 GMT

A couple of newsworthy mentions:

Long rehearsal/retreat has been changed to a time of 10 am to 2 pm. Date is still 18 April and it is still at the Sooke Community Hall, but in the upstairs hall, not the dining room. On this Wednesday, we will be requesting names of those to bring snacks: as we will now be over lunch time, we may need to have a few more.
Everyone in the current choir is invited to the board meeting tomorrow at 7pm at Sally's house: 6407 Belvista Place, Sooke. We will be having a regular meeting and invite anyone interested in seeing what the "behind the scenes" looks like. Great idea to check us out if you want to be part of the next board.
Bring a friend to choir is on Wednesday, 15 April, in Langford. We encourage everyone to bring someone that might be interested in joining us.
Intended walk outing before rehearsal on Wednesday, 22 April in Sooke. Our wonderful socials director Marj, is planning a cup of soup after the walk and before rehearsal. More details to follow, but mark the date!
Bottle drive: we didn't get plans finalized in time to have this happen this session, but maybe for next time! If you have bottles you want to cash in and donate to the choir, please do. If you want to bring them and have someone else do the work, bring them on Wednesday April 15th and I will take them off your hands. Because we missed out on some of the grants (Thank you Sally, Tara and Sherry for the submissions) we are running a bit thin for where the board wants to take the choir.

Our new format of seating for performing is different but growing on me! I hope it is the same for you. Having the altos sit next to the sopranos means we actually get to hear each other, and as so many of our songs share soprano/alto parts, it makes the blend easier. But I really miss the tenors! I'm sure our sound is improved for Gordon, (and the audience!) which is the most important.

Keep up the good work with sectionals, and perfect those sounds together, so that when we come together as a choir, our sound is better. Andre joining us on the guitar was fabulous last week. He is such a complement to the choir both artistically and as our AD. It is great that he is healed enough that he can join us. Did everyone get the first offering of a jingle to learn? I know Keiran and Linda were also working on one.

Several people were able to attend the Sing Your Joy concert last evening. I'm sure they will fill us in on how it went. We also had a fun time bowling yesterday. Scores were not bad, and we are certainly not ready for league play, but it was a lot of fun. Thanks to everyone who attended.

You will also receive an email that advises our dress rehearsal and show times and the expectations of when to be there for each. It is usually 1 hour before the dress rehearsal and 2 hours before the show time so please be on the lookout for it.

Just so everyone is aware: Paula and Tara will not be joining us for the shows. Paula is recovering well, and Tara has conflicts with scheduling so has withdrawn. We are sad to see them not be part of the show after all the work they have done. Adriana will be returning after flying to say goodbye to her brother for the last time. Our hearts go out to them all.

This is getting very long, so I will sign off and see you one Wednesday, in Langford at 7. WITH A FRIEND!

CE News 5 April 26

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:58:20 GMT

We are getting close to the conclusion of all our hard work: it is exciting and a little scary! I know how much work you all have put in to the be the best that you can be, so I know we will have a fabulous show. Thank you all for your commitment to the choir and our music. Andre will be with us on Wednesday in Langford, so we can show him all that we have accomplished. How exciting!

On Wednesday, April 15, the choir is hosting the "Bring a Friend to Choir" night at the Langford venue. Please reach out to someone who may be interested in seeing behind the scenes and might want to join us. It is a great opportunity to help someone learn what it is you do every Wednesday. They don't have to stay the entire rehearsal, but we would like to know who might be coming. If you have someone you are bringing, please drop a note to the choralevolution@gmail.com email. The invitation will go out on FB as well, so lets get a houseful of potential new singers!

Attendance has been phenomenal now that the cold season is leaving us. The trick is to now stay healthy from now until the show. Washing your hands often is still the best way to prevent spreading those nasty germs. I'd also like to wish a speedy recovery to Paula! We hope you will be back singing with us soon! Know you are missed.

The communication about the show shirts is in your email, including the cost. If the cost is insurmountable, please reach out to a board member. If you have a bit extra to give to support someone else, add that on to the amount submitted. Thanks everyone.

Reminder that everyone is invited to the next board meeting. Take this as an opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes and perhaps you might want to be a part of it! Everyone in the choir is invited and you don't have to stay the whole time. Come join the fun.

Rehearsal is in Langford this Wednesday, and the same for the 15th. See you there! Keep practicing!

CE News 29 March 26

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 03:32:31 GMT

Hey everyone. A big shout out to Marj for hosting a dessert meet before the last rehearsal. It was very appreciated and delicious! Thank you to everyone who was able to attend and get to know one another better. The next planned activity is a bowling event, which is I believe on Saturday 12 April. More info will be coming for that once details are nailed down.

So....very interesting rehearsal from last week. With us moving all around the room and being next to those we don't normally sing next to. I love it when we shake it up a bit, so I'm hoping that everyone was able to learn something from the action. Good job on the solos for those that sang; it sounded good and can only get better!

If you are reading this, you went through the website and may have seen some changes. The board (after a ton of research done by Adriana) has a Square device to be able to take payment on at the door or from choir members before rehearsal/on break for tickets. You might have seen a couple of new tabs: Advertisement and Tickets: The advertisement is for those who want advertise with us, the tickets is self explanatory. There is also a banner telling people that tickets are on sale as of 30 March (that is tomorrow!!!) Adriana has done a lot of work to get these up and running and will allow our patrons to purchase on the website rather than going through Eventbrite...so spread the word.

Joscelyn is spearheading the search for advertising for the program. If you know someone who wants to advertise/support us, please let her know (joscelyng@gmail.com). If you know of someone who wants to invest in our choir, please let the board know.

We have only a month before our show (4 rehearsals and the long rehearsal on 18 April) so it is time to sharpen our skills as we know the music, and must now perfect it. Read through the notes that you have taken during rehearsal, remember the loud and short bits, get those sectionals in, and keep practicing on your own. As a reminder, Wannabe and Lovely Day (I think!) are off book so please work to memorize them both. We spoke a little about the concert wear for this show, and some decisions were made by the board which will be communicated on Wednesday.

We haven't talked about it much, but there will be a general meeting for Choral Evolution where we get to elect a new board. The current board invites you to join us for our next meeting on 13 April to see what is accomplished behind the scenes. We invite everyone in the choir to attend (you don't have to stay the whole time!). If you have interest in being part of the governing body, please attend or speak to one of the board about a position that interests you. A request for nominations for board positions will be shared soon.

A big thank you to Sally, who has been joined by Tara, for applying for grants to help support our choir. Without these grants, the fees would be astronomical, so her/their work is instrumental in keeping our choir alive. We also spoke about a bottle drive to help support us, but it might not be able to be done before the show. If you have bottles kept for this purpose, cash them in and support the choir, or keep them aside as we will probably be able to accomplish more after the show is done. It may be that we can have the bottle drive....I just don't know the date.

See you on Wednesday in Sooke at 7!

CE News 22 March 26

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 03:02:43 GMT

Welcome to the second day of spring. Before we know it, it will be time for our concert!!! Now is the time to ensure we know our music, are practicing at home in a big room and singing out. Remember to practice those breath exercises and follow along in your music so we know the transitions from quiet to loud and back again. Let's try to have more than 3 volumes!

We've learned a lot from Gordon's teaching, and I really appreciate the knowledge that he has given to us. Thank you Gordon!

Last week was our picture taking time, and thank you to everyone who could be there. I know we missed a few, but your name will still be in the program, even if your face isn't. A huge thank you to Sally's husband, Doug! He was the one behind the camera and his work is awesome so I know we will all look good.

Reminder that we are having a get together for dessert starting at 6:30 pm at the Sooke Community Hall dining room. Marj, our social planner, is orchestrating this event. There will be more to come, so we have an opportunity to have fun together besides the fun we have singing. Thanks Marj!

Are you enjoying your sectionals? It is really important to us all to have well attended sectionals as they teach us how to blend together and allows us to help each other out with the odd bits that we have trouble with. Keep attending as they only make us better.

We are back in Sooke at the SCH dining room for the socials part starting at 6:30 and the rehearsal at 7 pm. See you there.

Rehearsal Notes for March 18th, 2026

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 20:25:55 GMT

Warm up: 7:00 to 7:10 - 10 min - More Than Words
hmmm ... if you wonder why I haven't worked on this song, it's because (I think - subjective I know) there's nothing to it. My hope would be that you sing it once every day with the rehearsal files and then we just sing it together on Wednesday. The more you look at me the tighter we will be. ... I will have it memorized by tomorrow. Let's just enjoy it together.

7:10 to 7:20 - (10 min) Fix the cascading 'Good Nights' in Emotion

7:20 to 7:35 - (15 min) Shine pick up to Bar 52 to Bar 78

7:35 to 7:55 - (10 min) Hotel California . just run bar 89 to the end ...
did we remember anything of the work we did last week I wonder?
then fix a few things and move on.

7:55 to 8:15 - (20 min) Somebody To Love

8:15 to 8:30 - (15 min) Break and Announcements

8:30 to 8:40 - (10 min) more work on Somebody to Love

8:40 to 9:00 - (20 min) Good Vibrations (bar 9 to 35) (bar 55 to 70)

9:00 to 9:15 - (15 min) Budapest with Soloist (we will work on the whole song)

9:30: Browns Social House

Gordon

LINK: Gordon Notes

LINK: YouTube Playlist

CE News 15 March 26

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 01:11:48 GMT

First off, I feel compelled to say: "Beware the ides of March"; for all those literature buffs, you will know what I mean. Hint: All hail Caesar!

Another great rehearsal under our belt, even if it was really taxing for the last half hour. I'm hoping that we all made notes in our music for what changes we have to make to perfect the sound. Thank you to everyone who continues to show up to rehearsal every week; I know sometimes we can't, but for those that are there weekly, you need to be applauded. So thank you, and it is recognized. We are more than half way through the session, so the music should be familiar, the words starting to be remembered, and we can work on the perfecting of the sound. If you want a great challenge, sing along with the recordings with your section voice muted. It will show you the areas that need to be worked on, so be sure to mark your music for the areas that are troublesome for you. You can play closer attention to focus on those areas in homework as well as at rehearsal. And feel free to share with your section as it is possible others have the same issue.

As a reminder, we are taking the group photo this Wednesday with Sally's husband Doug as our photographer. This is your reminder to wear BLUE. The small group singers will be meeting at 6:30 pm in the small room attached to the rehearsal space, so please quietly set up when you arrive. We are at the Masonic Centre in Langford and meeting at 7 pm as usual.

Question: have you been practicing the "moose call"? That is what I think of when I do the breath exercises that Gordon taught us. At least, I feel like a moose calling when I do it. Sounds funny, but it is strengthening my abs and expanding my lungs. Great technique, even if I get a bit light headed! We have also learned some great ways to track rhythm, and even though we don't get to tap, you will feel the rhythm pattern in your body. There is a lot of music out there that can teach you how to feel it in your body: Reggae, HipHop, songs with Spanish and Italian influence, for example. Just put on the music and walk around and you will find the beat. Then try it with the songs we are learning. It will help keep your entrances on time!

Thank you to those that have signed up for the last few tasks on the participation boards. There are still a few people who haven't got a job, so a board member will be connecting with you.

We shall see everyone, I hope, on Wednesday!

Rehearsal Notes for March 11th, 2026

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 23:49:51 GMT

7:00 to 7:10 Rhythm Exercises (16ths 8ths and quarters)

7:10 to 7:30 - 20 min Hotel California - working from the back page and working our way forward.

7:30 to 7:50 - 20 min - Wanabe - by memory to bar 35. then open books work bars 35 to 51

7:50 to 8:10 - 20 min - Emotion - we will work on trying to get some pathos out of this poppy tune

8:10 to 8:25 - BREAK

8:25 to 8:45 - 20 min - Biblical with Soloist

8:45 to 9:05 - 20 min - Somebody to Love

9:05 to 9:15 - 10 min - Lovely Day

Gordon

LINK: Gordon Notes

LINK: YouTube Playlist

CE News 8 March 26

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 02:14:55 GMT

Hello everyone. What fabulous and learning rehearsals we have been having. I don't know about you, but I sure felt my abdominal muscles the next day. It is quite amazing how something we take for granted (breathing) can change how we sing when done just right. Thank you, Gordon, for demonstrating and instructing us in breath exercises. It has really made me focus more on my breathing when singing, and hopefully it will help me each time I sing....as long as I remember to BREATHE!

I know we spoke of taking the group photo on Wednesday, but the photographer is unavailable, so the plan is for the next Wednesday, March 18. Please come dressed in blue for the photo.

We (the board) are trying to plan an activity for the choir that would interest as many as possible. These participation events allow us to get to know more than the people sitting next to us, or just our section, as well as share quality time together. The bowling idea did not garner much support, so there has been talk of a hike/stroll and then a barbeque afterwards at a park. We can speak on it more on Wednesday and see if there is more interest.

Thank you to everyone who auditioned for the solos; I'm sure decisions will be made by Gordon soon, if people haven't been notified already. It takes bravery to stand in front of your peers and sing out. Well done.

For those in the small group: the tracks are on the website, so please download and rehearse your part so that when we come together, it will be easier.

I've not got much news this week, so will sign off with the reminder that we are in Langford for the next two Wednesday rehearsals.

See you Wednesday!

Rehearsal Notes for March 4th, 2026

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 20:15:42 GMT

7 to 7:30 - 30 Min
We will be working on SOUND and TONE PRODUCTION
How do we get more volume levels, more projection, more clarity, more diction, more spine tingling moments for our audience.

7:30 to 7:50 - 20 Min

Hotel California : starting at bar 65

7:50 to 8:10 - 20 Min

Blinding Lights : whole song

8:10 to 8:15 - 5 Min

a sing through of Biblical (with a soloist)
just for fun

8:15 to 8:30 - 15 Min

BREAK

8:30 to 8:50 - 20 Min

Good Vibrations : whole song

8:50 to 9:10 - 20 Min

Wanabe : moving forward with memorization

Gordon

LINK: Gordon Notes

LINK: YouTube Playlist

CE News 1 Mar 26

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 03:31:40 GMT

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend on Saturday: we accomplished a lot! We had fun with our day too as Gordon had us make up a "section song" and they were very inventive and a lot of fun. Thank you to everyone who supplied the goodies, they were great (and tasted awesome). If you were not able to attend, please reach out to your section lead (or members of your section) for insights into the day. We do have the first half recorded: we covered a lot of tricky spots so please have a listen to the recording, both as a catch-up and as a reminder. It will be posted in the Practice Tracks on the website.

I noticed a lot of people making notes in their music: well done. Please share with your voice group at your next sectional so that everyone can learn from the notes Gordon suggested.

Gordon auditioned for the solos on Saturday and decisions will be made shortly. Thank you to everyone that tried out at the auditions: it takes bravery and courage to do this. It is very appreciated that people who tried out came without an ego as the decision for those chosen to sing the solos is all about supporting the choir so that we sound the best. You are an awesome group to sing with!

And speaking of supporting the choir, we have many participation spots left to fill on our list. We do expect everyone to participate in some way for the session as we cannot function if we all do not participate. The sheet has been condensed, as seen at the Saturday rehearsal. Please review and if you haven't picked up a task yet, we might just designate you with one! Thanks for being part of this choir as it takes all of us to make the music and all of us to make this choir run.

If you have any questions for the board, please ask. We haven't yet settled on costume/concert attire, but when we know, we will let everyone else know.

Next week we are in Sooke at the Community Hall. See you there.

Rehearsal Notes for February 24th, 2026

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 18:25:03 GMT

I noticed that we never did get to SOMEBODY TO LOVE.
The first 30 minutes of this week will be on this piece.

Gordon

LINK: Gordon Notes

LINK: YouTube Playlist

CE News 22 Feb 2026

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 04:37:26 GMT

Another great rehearsal under our belts! Thank you everyone for the work you are doing at home and at sectionals to make this music POP (pun intended....sorry). It is starting to show the dedication to learning the music and makes Gordon's directions more easily understood and followed.

Per the schedule, we will be in Sooke for the next 3 rehearsals: Wed 25 Feb Sooke Community Hall dining room, Saturday 28 Feb Rose of Lima church, March 4 Sooke Community Hall dining room. Please make every effort to make the long rehearsal especially as we accomplish a lot in those 4 hours....and have a great time getting to know one another more over coffee and snacks.

Thank you to those that have used the attendance email to register your absence (attendance.ce2023@gmail.com). This allows us to keep track of members and ensure you are keeping up when you are away. Remember, if you are feeling better, you can join the choir with a mask and sit to the side. That way you still get the opportunity to learn.

As a fundraiser, please consider donating your bottles: you can return them and gift the money to the choir, or we are working on a day for everyone to bring bottles to rehearsal so we can cash them in. Thanks for supporting your choir!

Have a great day and we'll all meet again on Wednesday, in Sooke.

Rehearsal Notes for February 18th, 2026

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 22:22:26 GMT

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

CE News 15 Feb 26

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 19:53:58 GMT

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.

Rehearsal Notes for February 11th, 2026

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 17:09:11 GMT

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?

CE News 8 Feb 2026

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 19:44:22 GMT

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!

CE News 1 Feb 2026

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 02:43:38 GMT

What a fun and enlightening rehearsal last week! Learning about rhythm is one of the fundamental ways to ensure your notes are placed in the correct place. I tell you, I'm still clapping my way through life. My hands hurt, but I've got rhythm! Thank you Gordon for taking us back to the basics. It will only make us sound better. When you feel the music in your body, it just works.

An update on Andre: I met with Andre on Thursday, and he was discharged from hospital on Friday. Wow, incredible healing in such a short period of time. He is now at home resting and recuperating with his daughter Miriam to attend him.

We are starting to get into the groove of Wednesday rehearsals, sectionals and rehearsing on our own. Well done everyone! If you haven't made sectionals, there is still time! It is a great way to work through your part with the support of your section. I highly recommend them! When working at home, ensure you read along with the music when you listen to the tapes; it allows you to see the roadmap of the music as you move through the piece. If the words aren't familiar yet, sing la or da or ah instead of the words so that you get the idea of the flow of the music. Take some time every day with at least one song, and you will have it down.

Thank you to those using the attendance email (attendance.ce2023@gmail.com) to advise when you won't be at rehearsal. It is really important for us to keep track. We know sickness, family commitments and emergencies happen, but this allows us to ensure everyone is doing well with their music and doesn't need support.

Section leads this session are: soprano: Adriana, alto: Keiran, Tenor/Bass: Sheila. Please seek out your section lead with problems, concerns or for support. Thank you to those fulfilling this much needed role.

Based on the calendar on the website, we are in Sooke at the Sooke Community Hall this Wednesday.

See you there!

Rehearsal Notes for February 4th, 2026

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:57:13 GMT

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:

A large chuck of this rehearsal will be devoted to Blinding Lights (more details will be added below to this rehearsal plan as the week progresses)

Blinding Lights: Please work on this piece on your own before next week.
Good Vibrations : Details TBD
Hotel California : Details TBD
More Than Words : Details TBD
Shine : Details TBD
Somebody To Love : Details TBD
Wannabe : Details TBD

CE News 25 Jan 26

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 01:38:32 GMT

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!

CE News 18 Jan 26

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 01:42:47 GMT

First off, I'd like to correct my error: we are meeting for rehearsal at the Christian Life Assembly building on Sooke Rd on Wednesday. Please see the maps and calendar for the address and location.

Thank you to everyone who signed up for volunteer jobs: we would not be able to work this choir without your help. All aspects of the choir except for our skilled help (Andre and Gabe) are performed by people volunteering their time. If you haven't had opportunity yet, the sheets will be out at rehearsal. Please feel free to mark more than one area.

A big welcome to our new singers: Hilary(S), Laura(S), Michelle(A), Tara(A) and Zabrina(A). We love that you have joined us and hope that your experience will be fun and rewarding. And another welcome to our returning singers: Amanda(S), Paula(S), Shawna(S) and Sheila(T). A huge thank you to all our returning singers! You form our core group and we wouldn't be a choir without you. We may have more singers, but they are making a decision to join or not, so I will share names if they decide to join with us.

I will be sending an email with details that we all need to have, reminders, etc just in case someone cannot access the blog. Please keep the information shared so that you have it as a reference. The members list will be updated soon and we would ask that you do not share with anyone not in the choir.

We will be requesting a section lead for each group of voices: this person provides information if you missed a rehearsal, schedules our sectionals and keeps track of your section. For those that are not aware, a sectional is held outside of rehearsal so that a group can get together to review tricky parts and get everyone singing the same notes. They are very beneficial to all singers, so I highly recommend attending.

Attendance books will soon be available. Please indicate your presence by checking that you are there. It is really helpful to be able to track so that we can support singers. If you are unable to come, please ensure you send an email of that to attendance.ce2023@gmail.com. You can also find the link in the members area.

We have some great songs, and a great concept to deliver them with. Keep rehearsing to get familiar with your parts, and it will come together....it always does.

See you Wednesday!

André's Rehearsal Notes for January 21st, 2026

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 18:52:58 GMT

An amazing start to the season Choral Evolutioneers!

So many new, talented faces have joined us. So much promising music. We are going to have a blast with this show.

Don’t be frustrated because things are confusing at the beginning. Here is a breakdown of how our rehearsal process works.

1. Reading through the arrangement to get an idea of the form, the road map, the blueprint. This takes up the 1 ^st few weeks and things will be rough. That is to be expected.

2. Breaking down complicated sections so you have a grasp of the structure when you practice on your own. Same 1 ^st few weeks.

3. Learning your parts! This bit you do at home on your own. We will also have regular sectional rehearsals where you can solidify your parts with your fellow section members.

4. Putting it all together again at rehearsal once the parts are mostly known. Here you will learn what you need to focus on in your private practice. Bring a pencil!

5. Repetition and polishing of the piece getting it to performance level

6. Sharing all our hard work with our audience at a very satisfying concert!

For those of you who missed it, here is our plan for the actual Spring shows:

1. It will called “All Request Radio”. A radio DJ seated at a table with lighting, props like an “On Air” sign and a mic, will be running an evening request radio show on “��CJOY FM��”. We will find someone with actual radio DJ experience or an actor to play the part .

2. People (fictional) have written in requesting the tunes in our lineup with a dedication. The DJ reads the request then talks a bit about the original tunes as set up. He then introduces the tune and the choir performs it. We may prerecord some of the requests or have planted audience members request the tunes.

3. I will write a stinger: “��CJOY FM, All Request Radio��”. Most likely performed by the Dinos (my name for the small auditioned group, Dinos – Evolution – my sense of humour)

4. We could also work up a couple of short commercial jingles for real or imagined companies and products.

5. If this brings up any ideas, please feel free to share them with me by email.

Solo Auditions: Please prepare one of the following excerpts:

1. Tenors and Basses: Blinding Lights, solo line bar 11 to 25, where it is written where it sounds on the recording, middle of your voice, not low,

2. Altos: Blinding Lights, solo line bar 27 to 36, as written

3. Sopranos: Biblical Bar 3 to 10 as written

Please focus your practice on the following sections that we’ll look at Wednesday:

Lovely Day We should be able to finish this one! Yay. Practice clapping on beats 2 and 4 at bar 83 and repeat

Blinding Lights Bars 84 to end, very similar to what we worked on last week

Somebody to Love 1 ^st 34 bars

Emotion to bar 32

Good Vibrations to bar 35

Enjoy your week of practice and I will see you all in Sooke at Christian Life Assembly, 6851 W Coast Rd on January 21 ^st , 2026 ready to go at 7!

André ♪

Tips:

· Sing regularly in a large room. Sing high passages on “OO” at first, it will be easier than the words, then move to an “AH” and then add the words without losing the “OO” feeling.

- Focus on keeping the breath flowing, keeping tightness out of the throat

· Don’t worry about cracking or sounding bad, that is part of the process. Over time, strength and coordination will build and you will gain confidence when attempting higher passages.

· Sing those higher passages multiple times and return to them regularly. Sing a comfortable Mezzo Forte at first, then get softer for passages marked Piano.

musictheory.net is a free resource that will teach you all about how written music works. There are theory lessons and ear training for every level of musician. Click on the word “lessons” at the top left and do at least one lesson a day. Each lesson takes just a few minutes to complete and they are fun!. Click on the sentences at the bottom of the page to advance through the lesson. Spending a few minutes a day here will help you become more comfortable with written music.

CE news 11 Jan 26

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 03:22:17 GMT

Well, we are off to another start. We've got our music, our tracks and our awesome team of Andre and Gabe to get us singing our hearts out. This should be a really fun session with the idea of a call in radio show! Something new and inventive for our audience. If you have thoughts about the call in for any of the songs, please write them down and submit to Andre. Be inventive!

This blog's intent is to give reminders, applause and helpful advice. If there is something specific you would like to see, please let me know.

Andre shared some of the ground rules with everyone last Wednesday. Please take them to heart so that we can have the best experience for everyone: the code of ethics was signed by all when we registered, so we have a reference. Andre is always open to comments or questions when you raise your hand. We love us some Andre and Gabe: they are the best!

This is the first blog of the year (session) for me, so there are a few items that will be old news for most, but good reminders for all.

We are all encouraged to bring water to each rehearsal: singing is hard work, and you will need it. Everyone should have a pencil to lightly mark their music with notes to themselves. Warm up your voice running scales or such in your car before you arrive; it makes it easier to get into the right frame of mind as well as warm up your voice. You and your voice are important to us all: please make every attempt to be at every rehearsal. Please see the website for the wellness policy. There will be other policies up there soon.

We will be reaching out soon to request section leaders for each section: this is the person who you go to if you have music questions, who will set up sectionals, and basically keeps the section in the know. The members area is the place to go for information: take a few minutes to check through all the tabs. You can also access all the music tracks and from there download them to your phone or computer. Sue has set up a file with instructions for this (to be uploaded right away!). If you have trouble, please reach out to Sue at suemcleodmail@gmail.com. Thanks Sue!

Choral Evolution has a good Facebook and Instagram presence (thanks, Joscelyn!) Please set us up in your feed. We also have a "behind the scenes" area that is only accessed by members: Backstage at Choral Evolution. If you would like access, please email Joscelyn at joscelyng@gmail.com.

Wednesday, we will be in Langford at the Masonic Centre. Location and maps are in the members area as well.

Westshore Masonic Centre 2832 Bryn Maur Road, Langford. We meet at 7pm (but it is always a good idea to get there a bit early so we can set up!)

Happy singing!

Sherry

André's Rehearsal Notes for January 14th, 2026

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 18:06:34 GMT

Welcome to our spring season Choral Evolution!

Last night’s rehearsal was an excellent start to our new season. We welcomed several new members that should become new friends and add to our exciting sound. It’s always a rough start as we sing through new arrangements, but things sounded promising right from the beginning. We’ll start to unpack each arrangement and rehearse in earnest this week.

All of you should visit musictheory.net , a free resource that will teach you all about how written music works. There are theory lessons and ear training for every level of musician. Click on the word “lessons” at the top left and do one lesson a day. It only takes a few minutes to complete each lesson and they are fun and rewarding.

Here is this week’s lineup for our next session:

Lovely Day - bar 57 to end. Once we get this learned the rest of the tune is easy

Blinding Lights - Bar 36 to 60, let’s skip the verse and work out the chorus

Biblical - Let’s read through this one and work on bars 16 to 32

Budapest - bars 13 to 33 with the repeat

Wannabe - read through and rehearse to bar 35

Enjoy learning your parts this week and I will see you all at the Westshore Masonic Centre, 2832 Bryn Maur Road in Langford on January 14 ^th , 2026!

André ♪

Tips:

· Sing regularly in a large room. Sing high passages on “OO” at first, it will be easier than the words, then move to an “AH” and then add the words without losing the “OO” feeling.

- Focus on keeping the breath flowing, keeping tightness out of the throat

· Don’t worry about cracking or sounding bad, that is part of the process. Over time, strength and coordination will build and you will gain confidence when attempting higher passages.

· Sing those higher passages multiple times and return to them regularly. Sing a comfortable Mezzo Forte at first, then get softer for passages marked Piano.

André's Rehearsal Notes for January 7th, 2026

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:36:12 GMT

Happy New Year Choral Evolution!

I trust you are having a relaxing Holiday surrounded by those you love. Our 1 ^st rehearsal of the New Year is coming up fast. I hope that you are excited working thru our new repertoire and learning your parts.

We're going to try things a little differently at the start of the season. We’ll play the rehearsal track and sing through the whole tune to start, so we get an idea of what the piece should sound like before taking it apart and rehearsing section by section. I’m hoping this will speed up our learning of the parts and how they weave together.

Please focus your practice on the following sections that we’ll look at Wednesday.

Everyone will sing the solo lines until we have a chance to audition soloists.

Lovely Day bar 57 to end

Emotion to bar 32

Somebody to Love to bar 34

Good Vibrations to bar 35

We'll also read through 2 new tunes that will be handed out at the reheasal:

Blinding Lights 1st verse and chorus

Budapest to bar 32 repeat

Enjoy your Holidays and I will see you all in Sooke on January 7 ^th , 2026!

André ♪

Here's an easy to keep New Year's resolution! Visit musictheory.net and expand your musical knowledge. You'll be happy you did.

musictheory.net is a free resource that will teach you all about music rudiments. There are theory lessons and ear training for every level of musician. Click on the word “lessons” at the top left and do at least one lesson a day. Each lesson takes just a few minutes to complete and they are fun!. Click on the sentences at the bottom of the page to advance through the lesson. Spending a few minutes a day here will help you become more comfortable with written music.