When the two of us went to visit my sister & her husband for 5 weeks back early in 2009, she insisted we come to choir practice. They love their choir so they wanted to share that with us. Okay, so we tag along knowing of course that Lawrie has a nice voice, but mine isn’t worth opening my mouth for, but humour my sister we will. Gospel choirs we have all seen and heard in any number of movies and it looks like they are having a good time, so maybe we will too.

Well, the choir director – nice looking, hat wearing, black American – sits down at the piano and immediately you know he has a command of the instrument that makes it as easy as breathing. And he sings, teaches and directs four parts, plays the piano and tells stories effortlessly. And yes, it is fun! Lots of fun when you add clapping and swaying into the mix and find yourself slightly challenged. A bit like chewing gum, patting your head and making circular motions on your front all at once!

Lawrie isn’t a tenor … I am though. He sings bass and really does have a nice voice. I’m just a voice, nothing special or soloist material at all. But I know how to participate and that is what singin’ in the choir is all about. Getting out there and meeting people who like the idea of “changing the world, one song at a time”

So to continue my story, we went to choir practice in Vancouver several times and also participated in a weekend workshop in Victoria. Meet more nice people, sing more songs … did a concert at the end of the workshop and had a very good time. Then we went home and back to sort of normal life. But another opportunity presents itself for a weekend workshop in November, this time in Seattle. Well, we haven’t ever been to Seattle, so why not? More nice people, and great visiting with those we have met previously. All good, all the time. Well actually that isn’t the way it is said … the first thing Eric, the choir director, teaches is this – whenever he says ‘God is good’ you (the choir) reply with ‘All the time’ Then he says ‘All the time’ and you reply ‘God is good’. This may seem a little hokey, but it is fun and you find yourself looking for opportunity to start the sequence. But is this a ‘church’ or ‘Christian’ gospel choir? No, if anything it is very non-denominational. Anybody can participate no matter what your belief system. The songs (which you learn quickly and easily without words or music scores) are all styled out of the ‘Gospel’ tradition with the words coming from many different sources.

Okay, so there is the background … we loved participating in the workshops we attended, so we thought why not bring the workshop to Saskatoon? Why not provide interested people here with the same opportunity? I must stress you don’t need to belong to or have participated in a choir ever before. It is all about blending many voices together to make a joyful song. Eric’s choirs are called ‘One Human Family Gospel Choirs” and that name reflects the purpose. “Changing the world, one song at a time”

God is good … All the time!

If you want to come, click here, or on the link at the very top of the page. Eric’s website is here!

Friday’s performance was wonderful. She has such energy and her ability with the tiniest movement to convey a wealth of ideas is totally amazing. If you ever have a chance to see Ms. Gillis perform, don’t miss it!