Near North Voices welcomes What The Folk

Continuing the success of the Sharing Our Choral Art concert series, Near North Voices, North Bay’s University-Community Choir, is pleased to welcome the Hamilton-based folk group What The Folk as the guest ensemble for an evening of shared music-making on April 9 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s United Church in North Bay.
The seven-member What the Folk ensemble performs a variety of traditional and contemporary music, and is known for wowing audiences with rousing vocal harmonies, thrilling a cappella songs, foot-stomping instrumental tunes, and various blends thereof. Comprised in part of classically trained musicians, What the Folk also performs in combinations including string trio and quartet, voice and guitar, and choral chamber ensemble. Several of the members of What The Folk have performed previously with Near North Voices as choristers, guest vocal soloists and instrumentalists.

Begun in 2011, the goal of the Sharing Our Choral Art concert series is to broaden the community’s understanding and enjoyment of choral music by bringing “a world of choirs” to North Bay. Near North Voices and the guest ensemble(s) each perform their own set of pieces, followed by a combined choral finale. This series has included a number of firsts for North Bay and area, including the first ever performances by international choirs – the Czech Boys’ Choir and the Chamber Singers of St. Mary’s University Minnesota; the first concert by an LGBTQ choir – Singing Out, Toronto’s LGBTQ Community Chorus; and multiple performances by the Toronto-based professional choir the Elmer Iseler Singers. This will be the first time a folk group will be the guest ensemble.

“The North Bay and area community has been tremendously welcoming to these visiting groups. Near North Voices, along with our wonderful community, have developed a reputation for being great hosts and generous audiences. Part of the inspiration for this year’s collaboration came from the warm welcome that several members of What The Folk have had as participants in previous “classical” concerts with Near North Voices. We anticipate more of the same as we welcome What The Folk to North Bay,” said Adam Adler, artistic director of Near North Voices and assistant professor of Music Education at Nipissing University.

Sharing Our Choral Art takes place Saturday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m., at St. Andrew’s United Church (399 Cassells St., North Bay). Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for post-secondary students with valid student I.D., and are available at Gulliver’s Quality Books and Toys on Main St., and at the door.

For further information, please call (705) 474-3450, ext.4432 or go towww.nearnorthvoices.com.