Organizers behind the Lacombe Community Youth Choir are excited to launch the new venture this fall.
Created by Jessica and Dakota Heisler, the choir is for youth in Grades 3 to 12, and practices will run from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays from Oct. 3 through to April at the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre.
Although everyone is welcome to join, voice placement auditions will be held over the next several Thursdays leading up to the beginning of choir practices. These are meant to help directors place the singers in the proper section of the choir.
"Once you are registered, you can sign up for one of these audition times. I want to mention that everyone gets into the choir regardless of experience or skill, but these are just to see whether you have a higher or lower range of singing," she said.
"My husband and I have been wanting to start up a youth choir for the past three years," she said. "And this was the year when we said, you know, let's just start this up! We are really passionate about music education, and we think that it's so important for youth to have it.
'We hope to help build their confidence, help them to find new friendships with other choir members, as well as just to have lots of fun with choir music," she said.
The Heislers are going to start off with holiday music, and are planning a performance in December.
"In the new year, we are going to focus on show tunes, popular music, as well as modern day composers," she said, adding that joining a choir is an excellent means of getting youth into music in a more 'comfortable' way.
"There is a misconception that it's about you, but because you are singing with a group, the audience is looking at the group as a whole. So it's great for children who really want to sing but who feel shy about it - they can now find confidence in their singing.
"They see that they can do this, and it helps to boost their confidence. Maybe they will audition for a solo! It also brings out creativity."
She noted choirs also help participants better understand the intricacies of music, thereby being better able to tackle harmonies, for example.
"That might be something they hadn't noticed before being in a choir."
Jessica's passion for music was sparked early in life.
"I started piano lessons when I was five, and voice lessons when I was seven. That continued my whole life, I just loved it. I also went to university for it to major in voice. I met my husband there, who was also in the voice program," she said.
Jessica eventually founded Ms. Jess's Music Studio in Lacombe, with a roster of nearly 40 students today.
"I think music is such a fantastic means of self-expression. I know it's a bit of a cliche, but where words fail, music excels! It's a bright and creative outlet, it's just so beautiful. I can't picture my life without it."
For further information about the Lacombe Community Youth Choir, or to register, email lacombeyouthchoir@gmail.com.
Meanwhile, Jessica is also facilitating sessions for Dementia-Friendly Music which meets in Lacombe as well.
Part of the Dementia Friendly Community Initiative started in Lacombe a few years ago, Dementia-Friendly Music is known to have huge therapeutic benefits for those living with dementia.
Jessica said it's proven to really be a great means of improving mood, plus the sessions provide a strong sense of community.
"I love to be able to talk to those there, sharing about their lives or their day," she said.
The program is also beneficial for caregivers, who can find a set of new friends and sources of support as well.
Sessions run Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. from Sept. 24 to Nov. 26 at the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre.
To register for the program, contact Rosanna Kerekes at 403-588-4386, or by emailing admin@lacombePAC.com.