I’ve often imagined having the chutzpah to walk up to the doorman of a sold-out music venue and say “I’m with the band” and have that velvet covered cordon drawn back with respect.  Members of EKOSingers might have that opportunity as we perform with the Millcreek Colliery Band on Sunday, March 6th.  Truth is we’ll be arriving early - probably by a side entrance – but we will indeed be “with the band”.

The Mill Creek Colliery Band is a traditional British-style brass band based in Edmonton. The band consists of an enthusiastic group of local professional and amateur musicians dedicated to promoting excellence in brass banding throughout western Canada.  British-style brass bands consist of only brass instruments and percussion.  (Unlike British-style fish and chips there is no newspaper wrapping). They have a history in the UK going back to the early 1800’s and are often affiliated with industry sponsors – especially miners.  In this tradition The Edmonton group has named itself after the collieries (coal mines) that were found along the river valley area in Edmonton in the early days.

The concert date is fast approaching and EKOSingers are having a few extra rehearsals as we acclimatize to the venue and rehearse with the band.  This is a new experience for the EKOSingers and we are excited to get it right.  Learning lyrics, our harmony parts and getting the right blend are all the pieces that will come together for the performance. The program will include jazz standards performed with the band and spiritual songs that are a staple in the EKOSingers repertoire. 

We’re hoping to see lots of the community, our friends and family there.  You’ll need to come in through the main entrance and wait in line unless, of course, “you’re with the band”.  

EKOSingers will be performing as guests of the Millcreek Colliery band at their Pops and Classics event Sunday March 6, 2016, 3:00 pm. Robertson Wesley United Church, 10209 – 103 St., Edmonton, Alberta.

Tickets are available from EKOSingers, at the door, or in advance through Tix on the Square (Charge by phone 780-420-1757 or online.)  Tickets for all concerts are $20 (students/seniors $15). Children 12 and under are free. Special discounts are available for groups (for special rates, please call 780-431-2437).

It felt a bit like our 15 minutes of fame as about 20 EKOSingers members joined other members of the Choir Alberta mass choir to sing “A Thanksgiving” by Bob Chilcott, with Grammy award-winning The King’s Singers.  The concert performance was the culmination of an afternoon workshop with the premier classical vocal group from the U.K.  

We got a brief insight into the method of these performers as they coached us on the parts we sang in accompaniment to their performance of the piece. We saw first how they use the vocal instrument like craftsmen working with fine jewelry.  They strived to form each sound to promote the unity of voices and to achieve the best quality.  

EKOSingers Director, Paula Roberts, who also participated in the workshop   noted “I was astounded, at first, to discover their plan of not having a conductor for the 150 voice workshop choir, but as things began to unfold, it was amazing how quickly every singer “tuned in” to each other and to the 6 King’s Singers. We actually pulled off a wonderful “unconducted” performance which was a new and exciting experience for us all.  (But, hopefully, we choral conductors won’t be out of a job any time soon!)”       

Their emphasis on the primacy of the ensemble over the desire to “shine” as a vocal performer was an excellent reminder to us as we strive for beauty in the vocal blend of our group.  We heard in the workshop and again later in performance how their group has become so finely attuned to each other that they are conscious of the sound, the silence and even the breathing of their fellow singers.  Their concert was filled with examples of singing as though they were one instrument and in other pieces how they sang in counter-point with the precision of an elegant machine.  

Being in the presence of such virtuosity was a great pleasure and inspiration to strive harder in our EKOSingers ensemble.

We  are excited to be sharing the stage this spring with The Mill Creek Colliery Brass Band.   Mark your calendars , and stay tuned for more information. 

3pm, Sunday March 6, 2016 at Robertson-Wesley United Church (10209-123 Street, Edmonton)​

Under the direction of Paula Roberts, hosted by Matt Alden, and accompanied by Charlie Austin, piano, with  Doug Berner, bass and Dean Pierno, drums, EKOSingers presents an afternoon of swingin’ Christmas tunes and familiar carols.  

We look forward to performing with special guests The Little Dickens Children’s Choir of Holyrood School, and The Studio 'B' Saxophone Quartet.

 2pm Sunday December 6, 2015  at Edmonton's City Hall.

Admission is FREE.  Donations for the Edmonton Food Bank gratefully accepted.  Complimentary "Hot Wassail" served to toast the season!

Join EKOSingers at the 8th annual Festival of Trees in Sherwood Park, and help support arts programming for children and youth in Strathcona County.  You'll get a sneak preview of selections from the EKOSingers Christmas show.  Stick around to enjoy contributions by other musical groups in our community. 

We will be performing at 2pm, Saturday November 21, 2015 at Festival Place, Sherwood Park, AB.  Admission by donation. 

A very happy time was had by all, as EKOSingers presented our annual concert at the Westbury Theatre at the Arts Barns in Old Strathcona, directed by Paula Roberts, accompanied by a killer band, with Charlie Austin on keys, Chris Andrew on synth, Josh McHan on bass, Nathan Ouellette on rhythm, and Dean Pierno on drums.

Twenty-one EKOSingers, Paula, Charlie, and a few spouses and friends enjoyed a wonderful trip to New Orleans this spring.   This post has a few highlights from the trip.  It's not really complete without sound... the video gives an idea of what it was like musically. 

After a year of planning and anticipation, a group of EKOSingers and friends are off to spend a week in New Orleans!

New Orleans is an amazing musical centre, and we have a great week ahead of us.    We're incredibly excited to be workshopping with jazz vocalist Cindy Scott (like Brenda Earle) a Lovetri Method expert and inspirational clinician.   We're also privileged to have the chance to learn from Al Bemiss, the director of the renowned  Shades of Praise Gospel choir. 

We'll be getting into the swing of things Sunday morning with a House of Blues Gospel brunch, followed by a musical history tour of the French Quarter.   And there are some swamp tours, steamboat jazz cruises, plantations, and seafood dinners in the mix as well.   

There are few places in the world with as rich and fertile a musical background as New Orleans, and we are looking forward to this long awaited trip with great anticipation. 

Let your spirits soar to the music of artists like The Young Rascals, Pharrell Williams, and Michael Bublé!  Rhythmic, rousing and reflective, this adult choir, directed by Paula Roberts brings an energy that is infectious. Add a back up band of fabulous Edmonton musicians led by EKOSingers' resident accompanist, the legendary Charlie Austin, and you are guaranteed to go home “HAPPY!" 

Come enjoy a Saturday evening, or Sunday afternoon of great music at the Westbury Theatre in the hub of Old Strathcona! May 23, 8 p.m. and May 24, 2 p.m., ATB Financial Arts Barns. 

For more information, see www.EKOSingers.com.

Tickets available online from Tix on the Square.

The lead-up to the spring concert is always enjoyable, since these performances receive a large serving of creativity from our director, Paula Roberts. You can never be sure when the gods may appear and inspire (but they definitely visit a lot in the post-midnight time frame). As a result, we come to rehearsals with expectation (and some trepidation!) that there will be something new to learn or a new twist that will enhance these important end of the year concerts.

Each year has a theme and this year's theme is "Happy". We will be singing a choral version of the very popular and now familiar Pharrell Williams' hit that was part of the music score of "Despicable Me 2" and was nominated for a much-deserved Academy Award for Best Song. Other tunes follow the theme with the very catchy "Groovin'" by the Young Rascals, a song which seems to capture the spirit of the late sixties, "I Sing Because I'm Happy" a powerful and peppy gospel song, and a haunting and beautiful choral rendition of Ian Tamblyn's "Woodsmoke and Oranges. Justin Timberlake's "Suit & Tie", Michael Bublé's "Haven't Met You Yet", and a rollicking Celtic piece called "The Rocky Road to Dublin" will also be part of the show. And there are others; we "just haven't" practised them yet!

One of the fun (to some) or frightening (to others) aspects of our spring performances is the choreography which Paula teaches us. The parameters make it tricky, because she has to coax reluctant feet and challenge dancing feet and think up moves that everybody can do and that nobody will find too hard. A certain amount of extra instruction can be given by those who master the steps easily to those who want to do it but find it difficult. Paula often provides a demo video which we can download. There are all sorts of learning levels represented in the group but the learning is usually accompanied by lots of laughter and we generally end up very pleased with ourselves once we reach performance time.

Each year there are some small group numbers included in the program. These are ensembles which are composed of ad hoc groups of choir members and we are encouraged to select additional tunes which reflect the theme. So, although thought-provoking and slower tempo numbers can be fascinating to hear, this spring we will focus on making you feel happy at our concert and we hope you'll smile and laugh along with us. The dates are Saturday, May 23rd 8pm,  and Sunday, May 24th 2pm.  Tickets are on sale at  Tix on the Square.