Members of the Battlefords Blend Harmony Chorus rehearse for an upcoming performance. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Battlefords Blend

Battlefords’ Barbershop Chorus preparing for upcoming performance

Nov 24, 2023 | 5:00 PM

In the sanctuary of Battleford United Church, a group of 16 voices rise in harmony.

As the singers work their way through the phrases of Maroon 5’s “Memories,” each is lost in their own as the lyrics float in the air with the strains of Pachelbel’s Canon supporting them as thoughts turn to a fallen member.

The Battlefords Blend Harmony Chorus has been a chartered member of Sweet Adelines International since the early ‘80s and is currently preparing for several upcoming performances this holiday season but the show “Memories: A Tribute of Elsie Boulton,” promises to be the most magical.

“Because she loves Christmas, there will be a Christmas emphasis and because she loves kids and community, there will be a lot of community members participating as well,” said Director Jo Carter.

“We’re trying to capture her heart.”

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Since the four-part (tenor, lead, baritone, and bass) barbershop chorus has been in the area for so long, they will include a slideshow as part of their program.

“It really gives you a feeling of the movement through the decades,” said Val Laing, who takes care of the group’s ways and means.

Carter, a classically trained singer, and musician, said when she joined five years ago barbershop was a new experience for her. As a longtime music teacher of younger singers, she wasn’t sure of how an older chorus would sound.

“I had no idea how responsive the voice would be at this age but man, if they learned to breathe, they can sing quite clearly,” she said.

“This combination with barbershop – barbershop is actually really quite difficult, which was a surprise to me coming out of my background,” added Carter, referring to the fact that not only must the group memorize the music, but they must also hit the notes accurately otherwise the chords fall apart.

“Everybody is responsible for maintaining pitch, but not only maintaining pitch but vowel unity.”

For President Andrea Stewart, having their director’s level of musicality has given their group a different quality.

“I can hear around me the changes since Jo’s led us through a lot of tremendous vocal production,” she said.

“She knew how to get the best sound out of us and over the last five years, the sound has improved,” Stewart added.

The group will be singing traditional music mostly in the acapella or barbershop style although some will have accompaniment. Their repertoire includes a mix of music from free-flowing pop to traditional barbershop – some of which can be seriously challenging.

“I’ve been singing all my life but there are things I’ve learned in barbershop that I wouldn’t have learned in any other style of singing because its different than any other style of singing,” she Stewart.

The Memories performance will take place on Sun., Dec. 10 at the Dekker Centre Theatre at 3 p.m.

For more information on the group or other upcoming performances, visit https://www.facebook.com/battlefordsblend.

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @jls194864