FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cages or Wings* – SingYourJoy in Concert
Friday April 4 & Saturday April 5, 2025: 7pm
Oak Bay United Church
1355 Mitchell Street, Victoria
Come gather ’round people
Bob Dylan 1964
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
Modern day prophet Bob Dylan penned those words and released them for the world in February 1964. Sixty-one years later the young adult singers of SingYourJoy will be releasing them again into times that are still a-changin’ – words ever poignant and relevant. SingYourJoy always searches for connection and meaning in their concert programs – not in a forced way – but with an understanding that art is never positioned on a blank canvas. Art always has a backdrop of the social and geopolitical landscape of the day it is presented.
In final preparation for our April concerts we are aware of how our eclectic repertoire (selected months ago) is speaking to us and helping us in these uncertain times. Song responses to trauma and bullying like ‘Don’t Be Afraid’ by Allyson Reigh, thought provoking ‘Woman’ by Kristi Lane Sinclair, a soothing reflection on the northern lights ‘Qilak’ by Andrew Balfour and Jonathan Larson’s question “cages or wings, which do you prefer?”, from his musical ‘tick, tick…BOOM!’ all resonate with the choir and will inspire our audience. With new choral works by renowned and up-and-coming Canadian composers and songs by AURORA, Elton John, Sara Bareilles and of course Bob Dylan this concert program is already looking like one not-to-be-missed.
And yet … there is more. Through special funding provided by the Capital Regional District Arts & Culture Support Service, SingYourJoy has been working collaboratively with Dr. Hussein Janmohamed on a new commissioned work – a new style of choral composition, allowing the collective experiences and learnings of all involved to culminate in a choral soundscape that transcends conventional approaches.
You are invited into this evening of song on Friday April 4th and Saturday April 5th at 7pm.
Oak Bay United Church
1355 Mitchell St.
$25 online and at the door
SingYourJoy Victoria is a non-auditioned chorus for young adults co-founded and co-directed by Christine Chepyha & Gordon Miller. This is a barrier-free organization – there are no fees and anyone ages 16-29 is welcome to join. Our members may be new to the city, starting new careers, entering a new field of study, or just determining who they are. SingYourJoy offers the unique opportunity of a safe space for creative expression, learning new skills, and forming new friendships.
The SingYourJoy Young Adult Chorus Society is grateful for the ongoing support of its major sponsors: the Victoria Foundation (through the NRS Foundation and Larch Fund), the province of British Columbia and the Capital Regional District Arts & Culture Support Service.
Email Us: singyourjoy@gmail.com
Phone or Text: 250-213-1948 or 250-882-5668