Soundbone Folksong Choir

Come along for the first session Sept 19th: a free, open rehearsal – all hands welcome.

Register by the following week if you know you’d like to continue!

The Soundbone Folksong Choir (SFC) is a non-auditioned choral group for adults who share a love of traditional and contemporary folk songs from Newfoundland and Labrador. 

Directed by traditional musician/music educator, Jean Hewson. Read more about the director

Date/Time:

• Thursdays: Sept 19, 26; Oct 3, (no rehearsal Oct 10), Oct 17, 24; Nov 1 (Friday!), Nov 7 (back to Thursday), Nov 14, 21, 28.

• 7:30pm - 9:15pm

• Concerts: Fall/Christmas concert Saturday Nov 30 at St. David’s at 2:00 PM. Special guests for the concert will be Cotillion (Dave Panting, Hugh Scott, Gerry Strong). Other events: to be announced.

Location:

• St. David's Presbyterian Church, 98 Elizabeth Avenue, St. John’s, NL (Google map)

Materials: Included in cost. Practice-audio files and sheet music will be posted on our website for your use.

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions page for more detailed information about the operation of the choir.

Cost: $80 per session. Reduced rate of $60 is available for low-income/underemployed participants; for other payment arrangements, please inquire.

Requirements: No audition or previous experience is required to join; music-reading ability is helpful but not necessary.

Would you like to join us for the winter term starting in January 2025? Add yourself to our mailing list to stay informed about all of Soundbone’s activities, or follow Soundbone on Facebook or Instagram.

Soundbone Folksong Choir (SFC) is a choral group for adults who share a love of the traditional and contemporary folk songs of Newfoundland and Labrador.  Founded in the winter of 2020, the choir was forced to shut down due to the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown. During the 2021-2022 season, the choir had two successful 10-week sessions due to a combination of online and in-person rehearsals, and went fully in-person from Fall 2023 on.

The SFC is directed by traditional musician/music educator Jean Hewson. 

The ten-week program will include rehearsals covering multiple topics such as: the stylistic elements of traditional singing, storytelling, repertoire and harmony.  Adult singers of all abilities and musical backgrounds are welcome.

DATES AND TIMES

Rehearsals will take place in the sanctuary of St. David's Presbyterian Church, 98 Elizabeth Avenue, Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9:15 P.M. The sessions end with a concert of the term’s repertoire. Special events and performances will be introduced before-term or in the first few weeks.

Covid Protocols

Singing is considered a high-risk activity for the transmission of COVID-19. We ask all choir participants to self-assess before rehearsals and to stay at home if experiencing any symptoms.

The rehearsal space at St. David’s is large enough to maintain social distancing. Masks are not currently required, but may be worn to provide extra protection.

If public health guidelines change over the course of the program, the SFC will adapt to accommodate any new government directives, or any protocols brought in by the management of St. David’s Church.

The fee for the 10 sessions and any concerts or special events is $80, payable before the second rehearsal by e-transfer, cheque or credit card. A reduced rate of $60 is offered to low-income/underemployed participants; for other payment arrangements, please inquire with Soundbone’s Artistic Director, info@soundbone.ca.

Fee includes sheet music and lyrics in PDF format for the song arrangements, and audio recordings of the vocal parts for practice purposes.

Questions?

For more information about the Soundbone Folksong Choir please see our Frequently Asked Questions page, or contact choir director, Jean Hewson (email jean.hewson@gmail.com). For financial matters contact Soundbone’s artistic director (email info@soundbone.ca).