Duane Hicks
After staging a successful concert Saturday evening in Emo, director Diane Maxey said she wants to bolster the ranks of the Borderland Children’s Choir over the winter and get a larger core group in place to perform in the spring and beyond.
Maxey first put out a call in late spring for a children’s choir, and saw about 30 youths express interest.
But since fall began, many of the young singers have been unable to participate due to other commitments, like hockey or swimming.
Saturday’s concert at Knox United Church in Emo featured 12 singers. And while they did an excellent job, Maxey noted a choir really should have more voices in it.
She said she truly wants a group of at least 20 youths age eight and up to be in her choir—and be able to commit to practices and performances.
“They do need to like to sing, to want to sing, and to want to be there,” Maxey remarked.
This group would participate in regular practices, be able to perform concerts and special performances, and keep the choir active on an ongoing basis.
“We hope to have one in this district, and this [current group] is a great start,” Maxey enthused.
“But we more need kids that are willing to commit,” she stressed.
Maxey added young singers from all across the district—not just Fort Frances—are encouraged to join.
Practices wouldn’t take place every week in the winter months, but probably more like once every three weeks, making it easier for parents who may have to bring their kids into town.
“We would want to keep it going [over the winter] so that in the spring, we could do some kind of a concert possibly,” Maxey said.
Anyone interested in keeping the children’s community choir going should give her a call at 274-7309.
Maxey tentatively has a practice session slated for Saturday, Nov. 28 at 10 a.m. at St. John’s Anglican Church here, but she said this could change if another date would work better for the majority of interested participants.
The most important thing is for young singers to let her know they’re interested and willing to commit.
