Accent Singers unveil new look in first full concert

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This article was published 18/01/2024 (598 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Accent Winter Series concert will be the first time an audience can see a full performance of the new choir.

Last year, the choir changed from an all women’s ensemble to a full SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) choir and the changes have been significant, resulting in a 70-voice choir which replaces the previous 30-voice women’s ensemble.

“We’re very excited about this being our first big showcase as the new choir,” artistic director Meredith Hutchinson said about the concert planned for Jan. 21.

The new format allows for greater variety of music.

“It’s just been exciting to finally be able to pull out some of the repertoire that I’ve always had to put off to the side because it was the perfect song but it just wasn’t a women’s piece,” she said. “I had a large growing pile of music that I was just waiting for an opportunity to use.”

Hutchinson said the new choir did take some getting used to.

“It’s been a bit overwhelming with the growth in numbers but I think we are still managing to have it feel intimate,” she said. “We’re still a family, we’re just a much larger family.”

The Accent Singers meet every second week to practice and Hutchinson said members are excited to be there, working on a variety of music.

And that variety will be on full display during Sunday’s concert at the Mennonite Heritage Village, featuring the choral styles of folk, classical, pop, jazz and country.

Lots of factors go into selecting a song, and Hutchinson said she thinks of both the choir and the audience when planning the pieces to play.

She said she looks for pieces that are challenging but enjoyable, making sure to sprinkle in some familiar tunes for the audience to enjoy.

“I’m thinking about the singer as well as the listener and trying to find a song that hits the mark on both accounts,” she said.

To help the audience engage, Hutchinson creates a handout which introduces the various pieces.

“I think it connects them to the music a little bit before they actually hear it,” she said.

Hutchinson said the hour-long concert will have something for everybody.

“This concert can be for anybody whether you’re classifying yourself as a fan of choral arts or not,” she said. “I think listening to music in the museum auditorium, there’s something incredibly special about that.”

Accent Winter Series takes place Sunday, Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. Doors open at 1:30 with rush seating.

General admission is $12, 14 years and older with a student I.D. get in for $5 and 13 years and younger get in free.