Every Tuesday evening, the London Shout Sister Choir gathers at the United Church on Colborne Street to sing anything from pop music, Motown, Folk, Country and even the occasional Blues.
They are an all women’s choir that welcomes new members with open arms. There are no auditions, requirements, or set obligations to join — just passion and singing.
Creator of Shout Sister Choir, Georgette Fry, started the first group in Kingston, Ont in 2002. Its success has since taken off and there are now 25 chapters across the province.
In London, director, Marion Day, knows that the choir can brighten even her darkest of days.
“Even on days where I’m not feeling well, am tired, or depressed, as soon as I am in front of these women I feel all this amazing feminine energy coming at me. It truly is like nothing else and I would pay to get to absorb it,” said Marion Day.
After spending countless hours together, Day says that the choir has built their own tight knit community within the city.
“It [The choir] is hugely communal. One of the things that I love, just as much as I do the music, is the connections that the women are making with one another. Over the years that I have been with the choir, people have supported each other through issues with children, illness, job loss and all these other things. There are now more connections than I could ever be aware of, but I can sense them when I am standing in front of the group. We even had three of the women move in together. So, I would say that we have had so many fantastic support networks that have been built by this,” commented Day.
Come join us for an evening of entertainment! The Shout Sister! Choir will be putting on a concert and donating proceeds to YES. We hope to see everyone there! Tickets can also be purchased at the shelter located at 196 Brock Street. pic.twitter.com/NTcL1srryZ
— YES Shelter Ptbo (@YESShelterPtbo) June 4, 2018
For some, the Shout Sister Choir extends far beyond just community and singing.
“I was diagnosed with a neurological disease called, Parkinson’s and my voice began to fade. At times, because of the disease it became non-existent. Someone suggested to me that the choir might give me some energy and be remedial in getting my voice response back. So, I came a year ago and it has been so much fun and I have loved every minute if it. When I leave, I can really feel my voice strengthening, ” said Helene Sellery, a member of the choir.
When the London Shout Sister Choir was first starting out, they only had 10 members. Now, the choir has upwards of 90 members and continues to grow, with new women joining every week. Day says, that those who have joined, consider this choir to be a two-hour a week escape from reality. She says that it has become a place where they can let loose and just enjoy the music.
“The choir really is a safe space where women can retreat to and we like to keep it that way. If you need to cry while singing, then go ahead and do so. Although we do perform our work, our main focus is not on the performance. The choirs goal is to allow women to sing for pleasure. Many of the people in this choir are highly dedicated to caring for a loved one who is ill…they take on a lot. For some of them, this is the one night a week that they have chosen to do something for themselves.”
WATCH: The London Shout Sister Choir
