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The Suburban, Aug 7 2024, Front Cover! and page 21
Encore NDG Chorus paints a portrait
By Joel Ceausu The Suburban
“It’s amazing what it does, says Kermit (third from left), how it creates memories and a mood. There’s nothing like it.”
A smell, they say, is the leading trigger of memories that draw a living portrait in your mind. But for the soundtrack, there’s nothing quite like an old song, and really nothing quite like a theme song.
For people of a certain age, just mutter Conjunction Junction or The Flintstones theme song and they can taste the cereal, grilled cheese and tomato soup; think the opening tune of Love Boat and they can feel the shag carpeting beneath their feet on a Saturday night.
“There’s just something about a theme song,” says Frank Kermit, who founded the ENCORE NDG Singing Chorus. “They are easily recognizable and if I ask you to remember a favourite TV show from childhood and start singing the song, within seconds you’re smiling, within minutes you’re really smiling so much your cheeks are hurting, and you’ll be shocked how many people will join in.”
“Songs that you haven’t heard for so many years, you might not remember the words; but songs from your favourite TV program or from a movie you loved will always paint that portrait.”
Long known to many Montrealers as a professional relationship and dating coach, Kermit joined a barbershop chorus last year and decided to venture out into a new direction last January, launching the local choir and holding rehearsals every Friday night at the Monkland Community Centre. He extended the invitation to anyone and everyone to celebrate unique content and the joy of singing. “There is no need to read music or have an instrument, just to have a voice.” Nor are there membership fees, just a $2-per-class donation.
“Anybody who sings at home, in the car, in the shower, can come on down!” It’s all about showcasing the magic of group singing in the style of harmony, a cappella and barbershop, and singers of all ages are welcome, perfect for a family activity.
Indeed, he was recently stopped on an NDG street and was chatting about the choir and the TV soundtrack Canadians grew up with. “I was talking with a woman, and ran the first few lines of The Littlest Hobo, which I sing all the time. And we just kept going! It’s amazing what it does, how it creates memories and a mood. There’s nothing like it.” (Admit it, you’re humming “Maybe tomorrow…”)
Kermit has even acquired licenses to sing a cappella versions of these songs, which he hopes to offer at fundraisers, community events, flea markets, parades, “whatever, you name it!”
Their first public performance was a hit at the Monkland Centre flea market fundraiser in April thrilling guests with takes including theme songs from Bugs Bunny, Family Guy and The Simpsons. He’s also open to suggestions of new songs to perform and wants to round at the repertoire with some French material and says a really great gig would be to sing a Canada Day event. “I’m thinking of doing the King of Kensington.” Kermit is especially looking forward to performing I Want to Grow Old with You, from the big scene of Wedding Singer.
Directed by Steven Wheaton, Heather Solomon and Raffi Rosenwald, the chorus also received a scholarship grant from SingCanadaHarmony.ca and is soliciting other sponsors to expand the repertoire with other popular and memorable ditties: Gilligan’s Island, Cheers, Golden Girls, Shrek and — you know you’re gonna — Laverne and Shirley.
Check it out at https://www.encoreencoreencore.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/NDGEncoreSingingChorus
The Encore NDG Singing Chorus will make its debut Sun. April 21 (11:45 am) at the Monkland Community Centre (4410 West Hill Avenue) Flea Market Fundraiser. This mini-show is free for everyone to attend and it will feature three nostalgic songs: Overture Curtain Lights (Bugs Bunny); The Family Guy theme song and Baby On Board from The Simpsons. The organization is grateful to have received a scholarship grant from SingCanadaHarmony.ca, as well as other sponsors, so that their repertoire could be expanded to included other popular and memorable songs including: The Gilligan’s Island theme song, Making Our Dreams Come True (Laverne and Shirley), Where Everybody Knows Your Name (Cheers), Thank You for Being a Friend (Golden Girls), Grow Old With You (Wedding Singer), and Welcome to Duloc (Shrek). Upcoming acquisitions will include beloved themed songs for: Spiderman (1969), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Pokémon, Star Trek’s Inner Light, Law and Order, Sailor Moon and O’Canada so that the chorus can sing at sports events.
The chorus’s long-term goal is to be a self-sustaining entity by earning revenue for singing at conventions related to sci-fi, comics, anime, and collector events for sports and toys, organizer Frank Kermit told me. They can be hired for movie premieres, birthday parIes, entertainment for senior residences, local business events and grand openings, as well as fundraisers, corporate, cultural, and private events such as weddings, funerals, and marriage proposals.
The chorus is directed by Steven Wheaton, who has over 40 years experience in the Montreal Barbershop community. Assistant Director Heather Solomon has 20 years experience singing and directing in the Barbershop community. These talented individuals also have extensive experience with performance level Barbershop contests. Also join them is Assistant Director Raffi Rosenwald, a Concordia University music graduate, who is a talented instructor, music producer, and music arranger.
It’s only a $2 donation (to keep the fun going!) to attend Friday night rehearsals ( 7 pm) at the Monkland Community Centre. No previous experienced is required and there are no auditions! Just come and sing. Beginners are welcome.
Info: https://EncoreEncoreEncore.weebly.com, call 514-680-3278 or e-mail [email protected]
The chorus is directed by Steven Wheaton, who has over 40 years experience in the Montreal Barbershop community. Assistant Director Heather Solomon has 20 years experience singing and directing in the Barbershop community. These talented individuals also have extensive experience with performance level Barbershop contests. Also join them is Assistant Director Raffi Rosenwald, a Concordia University music graduate, who is a talented instructor, music producer, and music arranger.
It’s only a $2 donation (to keep the fun going!) to attend Friday night rehearsals ( 7 pm) at the Monkland Community Centre. No previous experienced is required and there are no auditions! Just come and sing. Beginners are welcome.
Info: https://EncoreEncoreEncore.weebly.com, call 514-680-3278 or e-mail [email protected]
https://www.thesuburban.com/blogs/cohen_confidential_with_mike_cohen/entertainment-notebook-the-encore-ndg-singing-chorus-gets-rolling-jazz-fest-lineup-and-jacob-collier/article_276413d2-fb89-11ee-91c7-17ff652e274d.html