Rehearsals

Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings, 7:30-10pm, at St. Luke's Anglican Church (8424 95 Avenue NW).   More information about performances, workshops, and other time commitments is provided below.

Auditions

Are you interested in singing with EKOSingers?  Auditions generally take place at the start of September and by arrangement.  If you would like to be contacted, please submit the audition form at right.  

EKOSingers is a vibrant community choir of forty adult members that loves to share the joy of singing and performing. Under the artistic direction of founding director Paula Roberts, and accompanied by local jazz master Charlie Austin, EKOSingers delivers a diverse repertoire of audience-pleasers... everything from pop, jazz, and swing to gospel, soul, blues and world music.  Our high-energy performances are always accompanied by a hot combo of local jazz musicians.   

Every year we seek singers, generally with previous choral experience, to join the group. Our members have a wide variety of musical backgrounds. Some are also instrumentalists.  Some have considerable background with solo and ensemble singing.  But the main criteria for membership is that you have a good feel for pop music rhythms and a good ear for harmony singing.  Basic music reading is an asset, but recordings are also made available online to assist with part learning.

There are many opportunities for musical growth within the group. Every year there are opportunities for solo and small ensemble singing, as well as a bit of choreography for those so inclined.  Workshops, community and stage performances round out the experience.  

EKOSingers also likes to travel when possible.  We spent a week in New Orleans during spring break 2015.   In July 2013 we had a wonderful experience at Festival 500 in St. John’s NL. Past trips have included Cuba, Vancouver, Ohio, as well as small communities close to Edmonton, and we are currently fantasizing about Ireland.

Some Practical Information

Auditions

• Auditions are held at the start of the fall season, when most new members join.  Auditions at other times of year are arranged on a case by case basis if there are openings.  Generally January would be the only other possible time to join the choir.   The audition itself is low-key meeting that takes about twenty minutes.   The specifics will be discussed with participants in advance, but generally participants are prepared to sing solo (with provided accompaniment) a song of their choosing in any popular style.   There is then an opportunity to demonstrate your range and harmony and sight-singing capabilities.  Note that the ability to read music is not required.

Rehearsals

• Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings from September through May.  Members are expected to attend nearly all rehearsals unless special arrangements are made.

Performances

• Our Christmas concert takes place in early December.  The season finale concerts take up pretty much a whole weekend in May, once all the various rehearsals are taken into account.   There are usually a variety of other minor community concerts throughout the year, but the dates for these are not known so long in advance.  It is expected that all members perform in the Christmas and season finale concerts.

Workshops

• In mid-April, the choir participates in a weekend retreat at a centre out of town.   This is a very important component of our preparations for the final concert, and all choir members are expected to attend. 

Travel

• From time to time (not every year) the choir travels as group, sometimes to fairly nearby destinations, and occasionally farther afield.  This travel is an additional cost to participating choir members.  Although we hope all our members can join these trips, sometimes work or financial constraints make this impractical, and this is completely understood.