​We all know that expression about not seeing the forest.  As a choral vocalist it’s easy to fall prey to that problem.  We focus on notes, tuning to other voices, enunciation and all the myriad of processes that are going on while we perform and we sometimes miss the “forest” – the message that the composer wants to convey. 

I type the lyrics to our songs as a method of memorizing them.  As I read over the lyrics of “Prayer of the Children” by Kurt Bestor – seeing them on the plain page as poetry – I realized what a beautiful work this is.  In six emotional verses he pleads for the children caught in war.  They are afraid; they long for the familiar; they know no politics and they only want peace.  Violence against children is evil.

Bestor wrote the piece in response to the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia.  Having lived in the country as an expatriate he was familiar with the beauty of the place, the warmth of friends and the simmering enmity between ethnic groups.  He writes  in his blog that as he watched the conflict unfold ” Suddenly my friends were pitted against each other…Meanwhile, all I could do was stay glued to the TV back in the US and sink deeper in a sense of hopelessness.”   As an artist he found an expression of the feelings nearing despair – the song entitled “Prayer of the Children”.

The song was not widely performed at first. Now has been sun at memorials for the Columbine shootings, the Oklahoma City bombing, 9/11 and the Sandy Hook CT school shootings it has gained a deserved recognition for its expression of the plight of children experiencing violence they do not comprehend. 

Sadly - this song remains relevant twenty-five years later as we watch the displacement of millions of refugees from Syria and in many other countries.  Masses of people seeking a peaceful place with their children in tow could be singing with us “Crying who will help me / To feel the love again in my own land / But if unknown roads lead away from home/ Give me loving arms, away from harm.”

The song ends with hope.  Perhaps the hope that children can muster in their innocence needs to be the inspiration for the adults of the world in response to the prayer of the children - “When darkness clears I know you’re near bringing peace again”.

EKOSingers will be performing “Prayer of the Children” with the Mill Creek 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).

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.