Duane Hicks
While she may be recovering from shoulder surgery, and will have her arm in a sling for the next eight weeks, local choir director Diane Maxey will get going with several musical projects starting this weekend—and is welcoming new people to get involved.
This Saturday (Oct. 24), Maxey will be holding a practice for her youth choir at 10 a.m. at St. John’s Anglican Church here.
While she hopes to get back the 30 or so young singers who came out for practices back in May (she’ll be giving them a call to remind them), Maxey also wants new members—and is looking for boys and girls to “come out and see what it’s about.”
“I am probably going to listen to them sing. I don’t want to call it an audition, but I want to make sure they can carry a tune,” she explained.
“There will be a little singing involved before they’re a part of it.”
She suggested those aged eight-18 participate, but added there’s not really an age limit. In fact, she even has a six-year-old that’s “singing their heart out.”
Maxey added she wants to have her youth choir ready to do some gigs this winter.
Meanwhile, sporting brand new bells and chimes courtesy of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Rainy Lake Ringers handbell choir will be resuming its practices this Sunday (Oct. 25).
Those interested in joining, or just finding out more about the handbell choir, are welcome to drop by St. John’s Anglican Church at 2 p.m.
“If anybody’s interested in coming out and seeing what that’s all about, they’re more than welcome,” said Maxey. “We now own our new handbells and hand chimes.
“If they’re not playing the bells, they could be playing the chimes—we’ve got lots of room,” she enthused, adding she would love to have some extras—someone who could fill in for others if they have to go out of town, for instance.
“Even if they can’t be there full-time, maybe they could be on my call list,” she remarked.
As with the youth choir, Maxey said she’d also like to have the handbell choir ready to perform at some time this holiday season.
And finally, the Christmas cantata will hold its first rehearsal this coming Monday (Oct. 26) starting at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church here.
A listening session was held last month and Maxey said she already has 52 singers signed up for the cantata, but welcomes more to get aboard.
“This will be their last chance to get in,” she noted, adding she is encouraging singers from both sides of the border, experienced and newcomers, to join her.
She already has a handful of singers from International Falls on board.
Those who intend on getting involved should call Maxey ahead of time at 274-7309 so she’ll know if she has enough books and CDs for them.
Leave a message if she’s not home.
This year’s Christmas cantata, entitled “Emmanuel,” is set for Sunday, Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church.
