• Stephen Halsey and Cynthia Fay are launching the Stouffville Children’s Choir for children aged 7 to 10 this fall.
  • No auditions or previous experience are required, making the choir accessible to any child who enjoys singing.
  • An open rehearsal will be held Sept. 12 at the Stained Glass Centre for Performing Arts, allowing families to try the program before committing.
  • Choir members will learn singing skills, harmonies and performance techniques, with plans to perform at community events and local care homes.
  • The choir will run throughout the school year, with a year-end recital planned for June and registration discounts available for siblings and Sound Tree Studio students.

 

A pair of local music educators are hoping to fill Stouffville with young voices this fall as they launch the new Stouffville Children’s Choir.

Stephen Halsey and Cynthia Fay, owners of Sound Tree Studio, say the idea grew naturally from years of working with music students in the community.

“We’re just working with students all the time, and it was sort of the natural progression for us,” said Halsey. “Doing a choir and working with kids was something that just made sense.”

The choir is geared primarily toward children aged seven to 10, although organizers say they’re keeping things flexible during their inaugural season. The focus is on creating a welcoming environment where children can explore music, regardless of their experience level.

“If they just love music, love to sing, you’re welcome,” said Fay. “There’s no audition necessary. No experience required. Come and learn.”

Fay brings choral experience to the project, having directed an a cappella choir in Waterloo and written music for a Filipino children’s choir. She said hearing young singers perform together inspired her to create a similar opportunity in Stouffville.

“Hearing all the little voices, it was so beautiful,” she said. “That’s what inspired me to want to do this.”

To introduce families to the program, the choir will host an open rehearsal on Sept. 12 at the Stained Glass Centre for Performing Arts. Children will have an opportunity to learn warmups, try some songs and experience a rehearsal before deciding whether to join.

“It’s really just an opportunity for people to come and check it out,” Halsey said. “There’s no commitment or anything. We just want to put on a great time for the kids.”

Once the choir is established, rehearsals will begin with simple unison singing before progressing to harmonies, arrangements and choreography. Organizers also hope choir members will have opportunities to perform throughout the community.

“We’re hoping to get them to perform within the community,” said Fay. “If we can get them to sing in Stouffville in different places, that would be awesome.”

The pair are also exploring performances at community events and long-term care homes as a way for members to share their music and give back.

Rehearsals and performances will be based at the Stained Glass Centre for Performing Arts, a venue Halsey praised for its acoustics and atmosphere.

“It’s a really beautiful venue,” he said. “We’re really excited to be working with them.”

The choir will operate on a school-year schedule, with a fall term running from September through January and a winter-spring term from February through June. Organizers are planning a year-end recital next June at the Stained Glass Centre, allowing families and friends to celebrate the choir’s first season.

Registration fees start at $27 per rehearsal, with discounts available for siblings and existing Sound Tree Studio students.

Families interested in the choir can register for the open rehearsal through the Stouffville Children’s Choir website, although organizers say children are also welcome to simply attend and try it out.

For Halsey and Fay, the goal is straightforward: create a fun and accessible musical experience for local children.

“It’s our first year,” said Fay. “We just want people to come and sing and have fun.”