"Everybody will leave with a big smile on their face", Accent Choir prepares for their spring concert

Many local singers will take the stage on Sunday at Accent Choir's Spring Series Concert.

Choir Director Meredith Hutchinson says the lead-up to the concert is always special as everyone puts in that extra 10 per cent to push the show over the top. She adds they are really excited about the songs on the setlist for this coming weekend. 

“I think a big highlight is just the variety of music, the accessibility of it, there will for sure always be a song that you are either familiar with or a song that really makes you say 'this feels good.' There's just so much personality in our choir, and I think the love of music radiates off the choir, and the audience can't help but be drawn into that.” 

The Spring Series Concert is this coming Sunday, June 9th at 2 PM at Grace Mennonite Church. 

Hutchinson notes “We used to perform at the museum, but we've outgrown it, which is exciting”, adding “It's rush seating, just buy your admission at the door, all are welcome and it'll be 90 minutes of pure choral joy.” 

The Spring Series Concert will feature all of Accent’s 70 local choristers including Leiah Bauer. She notes this is her first year singing with Accent and it has been a blast. 

“It's really fun because there are so many different types of people from all walks of life and all backgrounds and all skill levels in this choir and seeing everybody come together and make friends and work together is just, it's really heartwarming.” 

Until this year, Accent had been an all-female choir, but they now accept male singers as well. Chris Plett says he joined, and it has been a great fit and an uplifting experience. 

“In the Steinbach community, we're really blessed because there is a good singer around every corner and choir is still a big part of the Steinbach area, so we're really, really, really blessed. In the choral community itself, it's just always amazing to find a group of people that are like-minded, all of us choir nerds getting together and getting a chance to sing together, it's amazing.” 

Hutchinson says making the change from a women’s choir to a full-voice choir was nerve wracking because change is always scary, but it has really worked out. 

“I was very excited about the repertoire that would open up to us by bringing in these male singers, and it's renewed my joy in the choir and preparing for it and I've met more people, we make more connections, we also meet more audience members. So far, I would say in year one of the full-voice-choir, I think it's been a big success.” 

All three invite the whole community to come enjoy Accent Choir’s Spring Series Concert on Sunday. 

Bauer adds “It's fun! Just come listen to it sing, everybody will leave with a big smile on their face.”