ChoirFolk

More about moving beyond show tunes and old traditions! Frank and Clayton discuss the massive success of this year's Unison Festival, bringing together over 1000 members of Canada's Queer/LGBTQ+ choral community.  Also, how to bring out the best in your choir's trans voices!  Additional Links: Frank's YouTube Page   (Lots of choir videos, including the Canadian Premier of Sorenson's Requiem discus...

My, how things have changed...sometimes for the better.  Choir leader Frank Zieginson joins Clayton to explore the evolution of the community choir over the past 100 years, from church origins to the Queer community. In part one, they discuss the unique histories of each of his community choirs and how he's worked to bring out their best. They also begin a deeper dive into Queer/LGBTQ+ choirs, inc...

Roxana shares the challenges she faces bridging musical cultures in Mexico and the joys of being part of a Mexican choir.  She and Clayton dive into Mexican musical traditions you may not have heard of, with some iconic Mexican ChoirFolk jukebox pics! Additional Links: Concert Performance of Sa'Nashi Ensamble Vocal Juvenil   Canto Coral México  ChoirFolk Jukebox Playlist Season Two: Apple Music Sp...

Cultural roots run deep in Mexico.  Musical champion Roxana shares how she and her choirs bring her country's rich indigenous history to life for Mexican and international audiences, while Clayton learns a thing or two about Mexico's indigenous languages (there are 68 of them!).

Wendy and Clayton continue to explore her research on what can help singers overcome performance anxiety, including her new work with collaborative vocal improvisation and song circles.  They also touch on the good and bad of AI in the choral world, and Wendy gives a few great selections for the ChoirFolk Jukebox! Additional Links: Wendy's website   Just in Time Choirs   Wendy Nixon Stothert Origi...

Doing amazing things with mutliple song communities on Vancouver Island, Wendy shares her journey from Tupperware-funded origins to leading a military wives choir at the Invictus Games. She and Clayton also begin an enlightening conversation on her personal experience with performance anxiety, and how collaborative vocal improvisation can help (more in Part Two!).

Karen shares stories of how gospel choirs can transform secular audiences and discusses her role with Choral Canada, Canada's largest choral organization, and how it's evolving to keep up pace with the times.  Plus, she has a few ChoirFolk Jukebox picks that will get you on your feet! Additional Links: Karen Burke's Website Toronto Mass Choir Official Site and YouTube Channel ChoirFolk Jukebox Pla...

Yes, it's a thing!  Canadian gospel has been uplifting and moving folks north of the border for decades with its own unique style.  Choir director extraordinaire Karen Burke and host Clayton Dyck explore its origins, her family's rich musical legacy, and how her Toronto Mass Choir gets audiences moved, and gets them moving!

We're back!  Host Clayton Dyck invites new guests to explore what makes community choirs tick and how singing together fosters joy, wellness and healthy communities worldwide.  Season Two premieres September 23!

A lot has changed for Sarina and the city of Minneapolis in these past few months.  Our previous guest returns to share an update on how the city's Singing Resistance movement stepped up during its recent ICE crisis, and how it went viral across the continent (including a Brandi Carlile concert!). Additional Links: Singing Resistance National Instagram Page Singing Resistance Groups in North Ameri...

Dawn shares her approach to musical actvism, her longstanding love and concern for the Cuban musical community and how songwriting brings healing to parents in The Lullaby Project.  Plus ChoirFolk jukebox picks from a real life radio host!   Additional links: Official Dawn Pemberton site Roots 'N' Wings Choir Instruments of Change site The Lullaby Project   ChoirFolk Jukebox: Apple Music Spotify  

In the final episode of Season One (maybe...), Clayton greets the Dawn!  Dawn Pemberton, that it, soulful staple of the Vancouver music scene.  She and Clayton explore her musical evolution from a Kiss air band to choral leader and educator, and what makes her all-female choir Roots 'N' Wings unique.

Moira shares the evolution of her musical career, from a four-year-old songwriter to a mid-career "creative". She gives shout-outs to musician friends who she's loved to work with, who inspire her, and who she loves to listen to these days (including ChoirFolk jukebox picks, of course). And how sometimes meeting your heroes can be a good thing… Songs featured on this episode: Sing About It Haiku -...

What better place for self-described "creative weirdos" but the choir community!   Internationally loved song leader, singer, and songwriter Moira Smiley shares how she elevates choirs and how they, in kind elevate her.   She also shares two new "song babies" and the wisdom of knowing when to keep things simple. Songs featured on this episode: Bellow We Are Timeless Lay Me Down   New release "Haik...

What kind of a dog would a bass be?  Clayton and his fellow basses discuss the important non-musical roles basses play in their choir, what's moved them lately in choir and how City Soul helps them through the rest of their lives.   They also share their ChoirFolk Jukebox picks! Apple Music Spotify

Let's see how low ChoirFolk can go... Clayton is joined by fellow City Soul basses Alan Pinvidic, Jon Scop and Bazil Graham share memories of being a young male singer, what makes a great bass choir community, and importantly, the "secret sauce" of a great bass sectional.

Kathy and Clayton explore the changing role of music in activism, and Kathy shares lessons learned with the next generation of song leaders.  Plus, she goes over her "retirement" itinerary for next year (and it's a lot!). Additional links: Dr. Kathy Bullock's Home Page A video of the Prague gospel performance Dr. Diane White-Clayton: Pass It On  Coco Love Alcorn: Gather Your Courage ChoirFolk Juke...

All-around channeller of joy, Dr. Kathy Bullock shares stories from a life rich in the gospel tradition and the American civil rights movement, and how gospel music inspires choirs and audiences worldwide.  Gospel is hot in Prague - who knew?

Kali and Clayton return to discuss complementary wedding choirs, how choir repertoires can be tools for activism, and how to "franchise" a great choir concept. For more information on the Denver Choir League click here and to see some of the performances, click here and here . Plus click on the links to listen to her ChoirFolk Jukebox picks: Apple Music Spotify

Who wouldn't want to rehearse in a microbrewery!  Kali Paguiran shares her experience directing millennials and Gen Z'ers in the Denver Choir League.  In part one: the League's (and Kali's) origin story, and why people come for the beer and stay for the cheer!

Sarina and Clayton discuss the merits of choir "prescriptions" and explore how threshold choirs can help people through tough times.  Also, how can song leaders help us get through the challenging times that lie ahead? Sarina's ChoirFolk Jukebox Picks can found on Apple Music and Spotify    

What can one song do?  Songsmith, singing leader and educator Sarina shares how she inspires and connects choirs and communities through her work, and how her vocal groups offer support and healing for those struggling with mental health.

What makes a non-audition choir concert special?   Patti and Clayton talk about outdoor singalongs, hospital choirs, and more! If you'd like to see Patti's choir in action  click here for a recording of their most recent concert. She'll also share her ChoirFolk Jukebox picks!  Click on the links to listen: Apple Music Spotify    

Love to sing but afraid you're not cut out for choir?   No problem! Clayton talks with Patti Powell about how her non-audition choirs, and how she brings out the best in her singers.

Bongani Magatyana shares how music brought healing to Cape Town's HIV positive community, how youth choirs help kids in its townships and what North American and South African choirs can learn from other. Hear his ChoirFolk Jukebox picks on Apple Music and Spotify ! If you'd like to learn more: Bongani's Patreon account page Bongani Music Creations Performances: Gauteng Choristers Performing "Amab...