Herstory…

In 2014 some best friends of Pamela Hart’s were moving from Montreal to Toronto. So, to send them on their way with a hearty set of tears Pamela arranged and taught a version of ‘Stay’ by Rihanna for a chorus of friends to sing at their goodbye party. It was such a special experience that she opened up the chorus as a weekly project. First it was about 12 people and over the years grew to a 50 person chorus with co-director Sarah Ayton sharing the lead. Over 200 people participated in the Montreal Forever Chorus over the 5 years, with many shows, many rehearsal spaces and many arrangements.

After taking time off during the pandemic and a rural move to the South Shore Pamela started up the chorus again. We have now had 4 seasons in the South Shore and two in Kjipuktuk, our last season ending with a sold out concert at the Lillian Piercey Hall!

Queeeeeer?

The Forever Chorus is open to all folks; queers and our allies. The chorus is queer-centered, meaning that we do not associate vocal ranges with gender, we are thoughtful about names and pronouns and we often learn songs that are written and/or made famous by queer artists.

Accessibility

We continue to work to be as accessible as possible. We welcome people with little to no experience as well as experienced musicians and vocalists. There are no auditions and being able to read music is not needed. We rehearse and perform in wheelchair accessible venues, use chairs without side arms, and work to culture an environment that celebrates diversity and difference. Choral fees are sliding-scale with scholarship options. Any access needs that are not being met are welcome conversations and we will do our best to grow and change to meet them.

The Music And The Singing

We learn all the arrangements by ear with a somatic approach to voice and music memory. Audio arrangements are available online for at home practice. Lyric sheets are provided to guide you through the songs, we encourage you to write on them as much as you need to help your learning process. Vocal training is part of every chorus rehearsal.

Pamela Hart exclusively arranges songs by queers and/or women artists with care to celebrate songs written by artists of other diversities as well as local artists.

Here is a short list of some of the songs the Chorus has sung over the years:

Rid of me by Pj Harvey, Here Before by Fever Ray, 9-5 by Dolly Parton, Fool by Perfume Genius, Harbour by Glenn Copeland, She by Laura Mvula, Joga by Bjork, I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston, Quarrel by Moses Sumney, I love you always forever by Donna Lewis, Wild is the Wind by Nina Simone, Night Still Comes by Niko Case, Crystal by Stevie Nicks, hello everyone (ceasefire now) by Jenn Grant, Get Free by Mereba.