ChoirFolk

Choir music is in the drinking water in South Africa! Choral leader and composer Bongani Magatyana shares his experience leading multiple church choirs, the pros and cons of choir competitions, and how he gets his choirs singing their best.

Jo, Juliana and Michele explore the "personalities" of community choirs and how choirs provide support and healing to members and audiences.  They also share what makes them laugh and cry during a performance, and the value of a good throat lozenge. Additional Links: City Soul Choir performing Mojuba Michele Roger and Jo Neill performing  Light of a Clear Blue Morning with City Soul Choir and the...

What's it like to be part of a community choir?  City Soul Choir members Jo Neill, Juliana Koo and Michele Roger share their origin stories, discuss how they prepare and reveal how they approach their biggest fears when performing.  It's also a bit of a party!

Erica and Clayton explore the vital role of communities in supporting dementia choirs and highlight an exciting new initiative that involves kids in these choirs. They also discuss how this is becoming a global movement! Check out Erica's ChoirFolk Jubebox picks here: Alberta Sky by Isabel Belina Apple Music Spotify Additional Links: Good Vibes Memory Choirs Voices in Motion overview and research

Can choral singing literally bring back memories?   Good Vibes Memory Choirs founder Erica Phare-Bergh shares how dementia choirs work, and how research is showing their benefits, not only for those afflicted with dementia, but their caregivers as well.

Mollie shares her exciting experiences working with music leaders in South Africa's AIDS community, and how they have influenced her approach to choral engagement and activism in Chicago. She'll also share her ChoirFolk Jukebox picks!  Click on the links to listen: Apple Music Spotify Additional links: 2024 Lullaby Concert by the U of Chicago Women's Chorus About the U of University Chorus 2025 So...

Two communities are connected through choirs: those who sing in them and the ones they sing to. Chicago's Mollie Stone lovingly serves both groups. In Part One, she shares her journey from child singer to a celebrated choir leader. We'll also explore how she innovatively engages audiences (including babies!) through her choral projects and chat about the differences between adult and child singers...

Karla and Clayton discuss the challenges one faces when using choirs to foster community connections and advocacy, and how she preserves wellness in her very busy life.   She's also got ChoirFolk Jukebox suggestions for us!  To get to the ChoirFolk Jukebox: Apple Music Spotify Additional links: A Full Concert of the City Soul Choir May 2024 A Full Concert of the Rhythm and Roots Choir Feb 2024 Son...

How does a person get so lucky as to lead a community choir?   Vancouver's Karla Mundy starts our series by sharing her journey as a choir director, how she harnesses choir energy, and how she selects her inspiring global repertoire. See us in Part Two for additional links, and links to the ChoirFolk Jukebox!

Join host Clayton Dyck to learn what makes community choirs tick and how they foster joy, wellness and healthy communities worldwide.  Premieres September 17!