New co-directors take over leadership of Aurora Chorealis

The new co-directors of Aurora Chorealis say they’re looking forward to continuing and growing Yellowknife’s adult community choir.

“I really want to bring the sense of community,” Rhonda Andrews said. “There’s already a very good sense of community with the choir membership and I think that’s such a good strength for Yellowknife.”

“We want to continue the great work that’s already been established,” Kara Cherland added.

Cherland said she suggested the idea of having co-directors lead the choir during her interview for the role.

“I thought it’d be really great to have a person to bounce things off of, to figure things out with, and I am super happy so far,” she said.

Andrews said it’s an opportunity for the two of them to bring different perspectives and strengths to directing.

Self-discovery and the collective voice

Andrews is a lifelong Yellowknifer who has been singing in choirs since she joined Bill Gilday’s Yellowknife Youth Choir.

Originally from Saskatchewan, Cherland has lived in Yellowknife since 2010. She has worked as a musical educator at Weledeh Catholic School and École Allain St-Cyr alongside teaching private singing lessons.

Asked what they love about singing in a choir, Andrews highlighted the collective voice. Cherland referenced American composer and conductor Eric Whitacre, who has said he was able to find his own voice through singing with other people.

“You get to be vulnerable and express yourself but in the surroundings of community,” Cherland said.

Cherland and Andrews are taking over the helm of Aurora Chorealis from Margo Nightingale, who had directed the choir for 25 years.

Nightingale told Cabin Radio “it just seemed like the right time to step back” as the choir and its board are in a great place. She said she remains the choir’s biggest fan.

She said there were “a lot of wonderful moments” directing Aurora Chorealis over the years, emphasizing how much she enjoyed regular rehearsals.

“Performances are a secondary kind of benefit of choir and choir season,” she said. “It really is that connection that you develop as you’re learning music and as you’re spending time together, so really that’s the highlight.”

Nightingale said the new directors should be themselves and “try to embrace it for all that it offers.”

“Mostly, I hope that choir remains fun and accessible and interesting for people,” she said.

“I just hope they continue to share music with each other, for themselves, with the community. It’s a great gift.”

A new chapter

Nightingale, Andrews and Cherland encourage anyone who is interested to join the choir.

“The entire group is very welcoming and very varied in choral and singing experience,” Andrews said.

People can fill out a registration form on the choir’s website or sign up at a rehearsal this month. Aurora Chorealis rehearses every Tuesday at Calvary Church from 7-9:30pm.

The choir’s first concert with Andrews and Cherland as co-directors is planned for early December.

They said the concert set will reflect the change in leadership, featuring “something newer” but also revisiting the choir’s past work.