MAGIC

Choir high: that wonderful feeling of warmth and joy and accomplishment that My Pop Choir singers get after our weekly sessions.

Now imagine that and triple, no quadruple, it and you will have a sense of the magic that was the Big Sing 2024.

You’ve likely seen the performance photos and videos. Now here are the thoughts, reflections and feelings of the singers as they rehearsed and then stepped out onto the Koerner Hall stage.

REHEARSAL DAY ONE (November 30)

“I really enjoy singing with a group and I think it’s great we can put a concert on. I’m excited and a bit nervous. But I’m one of over 300 people so I’m not going to stand out.”

“I’m more excited than I thought I would be. Almost giddy like a kid – and isn’t it great when you’re in your sixties to be that excited?”

“When we actually get there, it will be wow! To sing at Koerner Hall – me?”

“When you’re with your choir members it’s just fun. When I go to choir, I forget everything. I’m in the moment and I just sing. “

“I’m excited about the unexpected. Looking forward to participating in such a large choir. “

“I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve been practising a lot. I am thrilled we are going to be in Koerner Hall. And I love singing, so this is great.”

“I see this as a wonderful opportunity to share the joy that we feel in our local groups and to just share the sense of community and accomplishment.

“I’m proud of ourselves that we’re doing this.”

Were we nervous, excited and a bit overwhelmed? Of course!

But Alex had the answer: “Surf your nerves and let them into the music.”

And after Rehearsal Day One: “It’s better than I could have imagined and hoped for. These people rock. This is amazing. We’re going to have a blast,” he predicted.

Rehearsal Day Two (December 1)

Everyone was off book and it seemed that just the sight of the live band provided the energy for another four-hour stint of practice.

“It was my first time singing to a live band and it felt very cool!”

“Having the band was definitely an adjustment in terms of hearing ourselves and the other parts. But since everyone knew the songs so well, I thought we were able to adapt quickly and work out any small tempo or timing issues quite easily.”

“I was impressed with how prepared everyone was! It really felt like being with a group of professional singers.”

“I thought our voice group blended well without that much time to mix – like we had become a real singing community in the few hours we had together on Saturday [the day before].”

“I was finally feeling very excited for the big event on Thursday”

“It was nice to get to know people who are from different choirs. Everyone was in a good mood. Friendly vibes were high - as the kids say, LOL.”

“I see this a s a wonderful opportunity to share the joy that we feel in our local choirs and to just share the sense of community and accomplishment.”

“I’m proud of ourselves that we’re doing this.”

“Yesterday really solidified in my mind that I don’t need to be nervous. It really calmed me down. Alex’s demeanour has a way of calming people down and making them comfortable.”

There’s a unique magic about MPC. This weekend we got to experience a harmony built from countless hours of planning, dedication, and shared vision. Every note reflects the care that has gone into creating this once in a lifetime opportunity. The collective power of so many beautiful voices in harmony…. GOOSEBUMPS can’t even begin to capture it

Alex after the second day of rehearsal: “It was really just about connecting two worlds: the band world and the choir world. Both when isolated are fabulous and it’s all about connecting the two so that we go from two awesome worlds to one magic world.”

Performance day afternoon rehearsal (December 5)

“I feel like I’m a little kid going to my school concert.”

“I feel very excited. I’m happy to be with all my singing friends. It’s a great opportunity.”

“I am reliving my youth when I used to sing in a choir so I am just so excited.”

“I’m in awe of this building that we’re singing in.”

“I’m thrilled to be here.”

“It’s just really amazing how exciting it is. Everyone is so friendly and I’ve never done anything like this before in my life and I’m grateful to be here.”

“Choir is so awesome because one would think we’re part of something bigger.”

The Concert (December 5)

“Coming out on that stage to see people everywhere – the orchestra full, and two balconies packed. What a rush!”

“I loved the audience dancing and singing during ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. The band was amazing, and everyone was clearly having a blast.  And at the end when those still seated leapt to their feet with a standing ovation – what could be better?”

“It was a great feeling that, if you were feeling nervous as I think most were, we had the support of our fellow singers, whether or not we knew them. There were constant words of encouragement.”

“The whole day was so special! Being on stage for the whole show was thrilling. I can tell you that many people commented how special it was to be able to perform surrounded by friends, and I feel the same.” 

“I was moved by Alex. At times his direction was intense, and at times he just stepped back and watched.  It made me feel proud that we all worked together to deliver the show he dreamed of.”

“The band was amazing. It was a treat to perform with live musicians!”

“After all the home practice, after all the extra weekend choir practice, after all the preparations and walk through, after all the excitement and after the last note was sung, all I could think about was WHEN IS THE NEXT ONE?”

And what about Alex? (according to the MPC singers)

“He’s absolutely fabulous and I just love the passion that he has for everything he does. I think it’s contagious.”

“Absolutely fantastic. Very motivating.”

“I feel totally safe and confident when Alex is leading us.”

“Lovely personality. I love him.”

“He’s just full of joy and instills joy in all of us.”

“I hope Alex could feel our emotion when we gave him the ovation at the end of the performance – we could have gone on forever!”

“Alex, you are the music! The purity of intention you have to share music and to bring people together in celebration through sound is immeasurable. This community has had so many experiences that have connected us, but The Big Sing may take the prize for community, pulling together one sound, and just for a moment one unified purpose of heart. Alex, you are a humble, humorous, conscientious and above all a kind human and a great lesson in how just being yourself in this life can create some much-needed magic in this world!

Afterwords from Alex

“I keep saying that the event overall was better than I could have asked for.  I can’t really think of anything I would have wanted to be better. Every single song, every moment, every performance delivered by the choir, the organization – every single moment was better than I wanted it to be.

The choir was magical. They were so on point; they delivered such specificity and their own individualism, but they were together. It was creative, it was musical, it was intense, and gentle when they needed to be. I just loved it. I loved how well the choir performed.

Still five days later, on our Facebook Community group, there are dozens and dozens of comments, when someone posts. That camaraderie is not even close to anything I’ve seen before. There’s such a choir high still five days later. There is such a buzz happening. And to me that really locked in to how everyone feels connected.

For myself, and for so many people, it was one of the most significant and influential experiences of their lives. That warms my heart so much.  Every time I see a comment or video from someone expressing that level of gratitude for the show, it’s a really wonderful feeling.”

Odds and Ends

With a nod to Rodgers and Hammerstein and apologies to everyone who loves “The Sound of Music.”

Ode to the Big Sing 2024 (December 2)

Lyrics remembered and voices are soaring

Choirs all together and Alex is smiling

Knowing the joy that our song always brings

These are a few of our favourite things

Rehearsals are long, but oh so inspiring.

What we can do when we just keep on trying

Practice makes perfect and gives us all wings

These are a few of our favourite things

Thursday is coming and all are excited

Koerner is waiting where we’ll be united

Our music will rise ‘til the air itself rings

These are a few of our favourite things

When our minds blank

When our knees shake

When the notes seem wrong

We’ll simply remember these favourite things

And then we will sing out strong!

From the Big Sing program: A message from Alex Fiddes

I believe life should be filled with comfort, security, and familiarity.   But I also believe that life should have wild adventures that scare and challenge you.  Because you inevitably come out stronger and more fulfilled.  It’s these adventures that make the cozy times so much cozier.  

My Pop Choir’s Big Sing is one of those grand adventures. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for mostly non-professional singers to step onto a world-class stage, performing with a 5-piece band and over 300 voices united in harmony. I want our singers to walk away feeling rejuvenated, refreshed, and deeply proud of what they’ve accomplished—a memory they’ll carry for life.

But this isn’t just a show for us—it’s for you, the audience. You know that feeling when you fall in love or come back from an incredible trip? Suddenly, the world seems brighter, oranges look a little “oranger,” and the air feels fresher. That’s the magic of experiencing something extraordinary.

I want you to leave the theatre with a new sense of internal contentment, that everything in your life seems a bit easier to handle and you see the world with just a bit more positivity. I want you to feel entertained and inspired, and what the heck, blown away!

Lisa Glass wrote this as a reflection of the evening

The Big Sing

In a mad world

That can feel surreal,

We sing together

We bond and feel

We form a group

Connect and unite,

With a common goal

To spread the light

Darkness may permeate

Its ugly ways,

But we choose the sun

And the glorious days

We rise above

To share our love

We sing with glee

For peace to be

Our voices fill

Likes birds who trill

A magical sound

We have found

Thank you all

I had a ball!