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Cariboo Men’s choir looking for new singers

For 15 years now the Cariboo Men’s Choir has been singing in and around Williams Lake.
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Carl Johnson directs the Cariboo Men’s Choir last week during a morning practice.

For 15 years now the Cariboo Men’s Choir has been singing in and around Williams Lake.

Numbering anywhere between 20 to 40 men singing together at any one time the director of the choir, Carl Johnson, said that they sing at roughly 10 events throughout the scholastic year starting September all the way to May. The choir sings at various events across town, including the Legion’s upcoming Remembrance Day Ceremony.

On Saturday, Sept. 29 the choir held an open house-style recruitment drive at St. Andrew’s United Church to provide a casual introduction to their group, explained Johnson.

“People find it a little overwhelming to join a group that’s already in session and going full tilt ahead,” Johnson said.

Currently, the Choir has 18 members but Johnson said they are looking to increase that number by 10 or 12 ideally, something that he feels will be wonderful. The group meets every Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. at St. Andrews Church for a two-hour rehearsal with a $175 buy-in for the whole year.

“We’re giving back to the community, as well as having a good social time learning about music. Music is a form of therapy but we are out in the community and wherever they go they really like to hear us,” Johnson said. “A Men’s Chorus is quite unique… it’s a real fascination to hear male voices.”

Brian Lapoint is a long-time member of the choir who was “sent there to learn discipline” in his singing, as he had sung earlier on his life. First but in the Bass Section by Johnson before graduating to the baritone before being shuffled over to the tenor section.

“So we don’t really know what we are when we first start out we have to explore and find ourselves,” Lapoint said.

He is of the opinion that there are many people in the community who sing, be it in showers, church or in other forms throughout there day and that they might want to learn how to do it better. Lapoint said the men’s choir is an opportunity for men to explore music and learn about musical theory.

“Beyond just learning about music, there’s the health aspect. Singing does a lot more than just improve your vocal chords, it improves the whole health of your body,” Lapoint said. “It’s more like a club than a rigorous, vigorous singing session that we do, it’s a lot of fun.”



patrick.davies@wltribune.com

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Photo by Patrick Davies Cariboo Men’s Choir director Carl Johnson encourages his choir to reach new notes.


Patrick Davies

About the Author: Patrick Davies

An avid lover of theatre, media, and the arts in all its forms, I've enjoyed building my professional reputation in 100 Mile House.
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