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By Chris Brown

Missing the music

Lack of singing and togetherness can take a toll, says MHC choral director

May 22, 2020 | 1:33 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Some of the city’s most beautiful voices have been missing over the past two months with choirs and ensembles silenced due to COVID-19.

New provincial health guidelines on group gatherings were announced just as the annual Rotary Music Festival wrapped up in March.

The Medicine Hat College girls’ choir performed at a scaled-down version of the Rose Bowl and then, silence.

“I haven’t seen the girls since then, since March 13,” said Katie-Anne Nemeth, choral director for the MHC girls’ and adult choirs and a faculty voice instructor with about 20 students. “We haven’t been able to be together to perform or rehearse.”

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A lot of industries, organizations and groups have been able to continue on via the virtual world, but Nemeth said it doesn’t work well in music and particularly with ensembles.

“There’s just something about being in the same room together where you can hear each other and you work so much on balance and blend and for that to really happen you need to be in the same room together,” she said, adding that one-on-one virtual singing and instruction can work but she doesn’t foresee the choirs trying it.

Not having the regular connection to the choir can be emotionally, mentally and even physically draining to some, Nemeth said.

She said there have been many studies on the effect singing has on people and the results always find the impact is positive. For herself, she believes choir is meant to bring people together.

“You have a sense of belonging with those weekly rehearsals where you come together. At the start of the rehearsal the girls send the first 15 minutes talking to each other just sharing stories and laughing,” Nemeth said. “So I’m sure that this has had a huge effect on not only on the girls but some of the adults that I teach in adult choirs emotionally and mentally. It’s just choir rehearsal is something they look forward to each week and singing is such a good release for people.”

She admits she’s been kind of sad without the regular choir activities to look forward to, saying music was the centre of her life and she would often be at the college with singers until 9 p.m. five days a week.

She and others have been able to fill the gap somewhat through Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir. Nemeth and some of her students and choir members have submitted recordings for the upcoming sixth episode, but admits it’s just not the same.

The girls’ choir was to tour Europe this summer and sing at the World Choir Games in July. Nemeth said the choir is thinking about going next year but a final decision hasn’t been made. She said the cancellation of the tour is disappointing, particularly for the graduating singers who see that as a final chance to celebrate and say goodbye.

With the oldest members graduating from the girls’ choir this year, Nemeth is on the hunt for new singers. She’ll be holding virtual auditions for girls aged 12 to 18 interested in joining the choir.