The Woodward’s Community Singers exists to bring more people into the simple joy of communal singing where all voices are welcomed. We create an experience that is both profoundly comfortable and musically rich.
Our chorus’s 100-plus members range from 2 to 81 years of age and consists of people who might include in their identity any of the following aspects: local resident, student, artist, veteran, social service provider, social service user, SFU student or staff, professional, urbanist, activist, queer, non-European and/or European ancestry, Aboriginal, living in privilege or poverty, mixed physical and/or mental abilities, in recovery, and in discovery.
Many are singing for the first time. No experience or auditions are required to join us. There is no cost, or obligation, and drop-ins are welcomed. All singers meet as peers and lovers of music in this space.
We are hosted by PHS Community Services Society (Portland Hotel) at their Woodward’s site residency in the Downtown Eastside. Each week, an average of 35-45 people sing together in the beautiful common room there.
This proposal seeks to fund a full year of operation for the Woodward’s Community Singers, including remuneration for the choral director, honoraria for guest conductors, hospitality and the services of a mental health support worker.
Singers have taken a leadership role in generating this fundraising strategy collaborating with choir leader Vanessa Richards to raise the budget together in advance. The Woodward’s Community Singers want any person who wishes to sing at any time throughout the year can walk through the door and join us with no contributions or membership fees required.
We would like to start January 5th, 2012. Thank you for reading this invitation to contribute to our community effort and vision.
The Woodward’s Community Singers would like to acknowledge the past support of the Vancity Office of Community Engagement at SFU Woodwards and the ongoing support of PHS Community Services Society.