Peterborough Singers
P.O. Box 2146 K9J 7Y4 Peterborough, ON, Canada

Singing as a cure for snoring?!?

If you're interested in safe music-making in these times, check out the latest report from the Performing Arts Aerosol Study. https://bit.ly/PerformingArtsAerosolStudy

"A Choral Perspective of Canada’s Indigenous Veterans." This Remembrance Day program from the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir looks so interesting tonight at 8 p.m. eastern.

A moment of peace on Remembrance Day. ‘Abide with Me’ from The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, arranged and conducted by Graham Ross.

There are certain pieces that don't fit well into the Singer's regular season due to their length so our bridge season presented an opportunity to explore one such piece in the Vivaldi's Gloria: "Vivaldi’s Gloria is [a] completely delightful and satisfying choral work that just doesn’t fit our normal programming needs. It is too short for a May concert slot, and too long for Yuletide Cheer. But it is just right for a 6 week Bridge Year elective during a pandemic, and on Monda...y nights the church just rings with the beauty and energy of this 18th century gem. Vivaldi wrote this piece for his all girls choir and orchestra at the orphanage where he directed the music." Another elective the singers are exploring is "Afro-American Spirituals". Spirituals were originally an oral tradition that imparted Christian values while also describing the hardships of slavery. Although spirituals were originally unaccompanied monophonic songs, they developed into harmonized choral arrangements. In this elective we hope the singers will gain a deep appreciation for this sacred and important music as well as the history behind it. "...the swaying richness of the music, and the captivating melodies are providing us with a very special experience." -Syd Birrell #PTBOmusic #choralmusic #choir Photo Credit for Syd's picture: Jason Ryan

The first round of the Peterborough Singers’ series of six-week, in-person singing electives began September 20th. After exhaustively checking out best practices and safety protocols and guidelines for in-person singing, the Singers opted to offer small groups of members (16 or fewer) the opportunity to sign up for one of four electives: Vivaldi’s Gloria, Afro American Spirituals, And All That Jazz, and the Music of the Renaissance. Here's a little bit about why Pam Birre...ll wanted to do a Jazz elective with the singers: "Jazz music often has the ability to weave deeply poignant text with wonderful melodies and extraordinary harmonies. When these align well, we have challenge, fun, and deep thoughts and feelings. My hope is that these sessions bring these gifts from jazz to the participants of the group. It has been such a dark six months for the world. I needed to lead music that brings hope and fun and joy." #PTBOmusic #choralmusic #choir

It's trickier then you'd think!

"The first round of the Peterborough Singers’ series of six-week, in-person singing electives began September 20th. After exhaustively checking out best practices and safety protocols and guidelines for in-person singing, the Singers opted to offer small groups of members (16 or fewer) the opportunity to sign up for one of four electives: Vivaldi’s Gloria, Afro American Spirituals, And All That Jazz, and the Music of the Renaissance." https://www.peterboroughsingers.com/singers-staying-active/

Showplace is participating in #LightUpLive...an evening across Canada to bring attention to the impact that this pandemic has had through our industry and the long road we face to come back. Thank you to all of our patrons and supporters!

As you may be aware (or could have guessed) the choir, like many other arts organizations, has been hit hard by the circumstances surrounding COVID-19. If you’d like to help with a financial donation and learn more about what we’re up to during this bridge year please see the link below with letters from our Board Chair Carey Gibson and our Artistic Director Syd Birrell. https://www.peterboroughsingers.com/the-peterborough-sing/

New singers are still welcome! We are not holding any in person concerts this year but the singers are still finding ways to connect and enjoy music together. If you are interested in joining our community auditions are still going to be held for new recruits. Please contact us if you are interested and meet the following requirements:... -are able to read music -can commit to weekly rehearsals (on Monday and/or Wednesday evenings) -willing to note learn at home -have a voice that blends -ability and willingness to comply with safety requirements Please send us an e-mail, call us or apply through our website to set up your audition! [email protected] 705-745-1820 https://www.peterboroughsingers.com/get-involved/audition/

The numbers from Friday's food drive are in! We are proud to sponsor community causes like this. Kawartha Food Share Oldies 96.7 #ptbo #ptbochoir #inthecommunity #fooddrive

For anyone who needs a smile today... This is Leroy Anderson's 'The Typewriter' for orchestra, complete with all the familiar 'dings' and clitter-clattering of a typewriter. The soloist here is Alfredo Anaya, with conductor Miguel Roa. Credit to Voces Para la Paz and Músicos solidarios.

Great cause! We're proud to be involved in this event! #ptbo #fooddrive There's still time to donate, the event goes till 6pm For more info check out Oldies 96.7, EXTRA 90.5 or PtboCanada

The Peterborough Singers are proud to be a Broadcast Sponsor for the All Hands On Deck Food Drive! OLDIES 96.7 & freq 90.5 will be doing an all-day broadcast this Friday, August 14th, from area grocery stores to jam trucks full of food and restock the shelves of our local food bank. August would be a non-traditional time of year for a Food Drive but this is what makes it important...... There is a NEED all year! There is a NEED right now! And this August there is a special focus on food donations with kids in mind. It's no secret that many children show up for school without having a nutritious breakfast or an improperly packed lunch. With back-to-school only a couple weeks away they're highlighting specific needs for back-to-school lunches. Tune into Oldies 96.7, EXTRA 90.5 or check out PTBOTODAY.ca for more information on the Drive!

The Peterborough Singers are pleased to present our virtual performance of Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge over Troubled Water". This piece touches on being able to depend on one another through difficult situations. This message resonates deeply with our choir and speaks to the challenges and rewards that lie ahead as we prepare for our "Bridge Year". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60xR93c28t0 "Bridge Over Troubled Water" - by Paul Simon/arr. Kirby Shaw... Video by M. Wotherspoon Accompaniment by Anne Normand Peterborough Singers Artistic Director: Syd Birrell See more

Crossing the Bridge (2020-21 Season Announcement) What does a choir do when it can’t be a 100-voice performing choir? The Peterborough Singers answer this question by re-inventing the 2020-21 season. Instead of typical concert offerings the choir is focusing the combined energy and imagination of its members and its conductor, Syd Birrell, on a bridge year in order to safely traverse the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.... For more information on what our plans for this upcoming season are, as we look to ensure the safety of our patrons, the emotional well being of our choir members and ensuring our 27 year history continues into the future, please see our artistic director's message. #ptbo #choralmusic #covid19 #virtualchoir Photo Credit: Jason Ryan