Glee Club harmonies, in tones, rhythms, and arrangements that easily rival a professional choir, lifted the spirits of audiences in two separate performances last weekend at the Rouge Gallery.
“I love teaching this group,” said choir director Nadine Tremblay. “They are dedicated and focused, talented and so much fun!”
Kids were holding hands and dancing in the aisles as the Glee Club closed their eyes, burst into smiles, and raised their voices to the historic BMO ceilings, nailing complex multi-part songs that ranged from 15th-century madrigals to contemporary classics.
Standing in front conducting them, Tremblay says the best part is that she feels they’re singing “just for me.”
“I get my very own 26 piece human orchestra and they sing lovely and without inhibition.”
Unfortunately, at the end of the second performance Tremblay announced that she is uncertain whether the future holds another season of Glee Club for her.
The moans from the crowd were audible and sincere.
“I don’t know if I am teaching voice or Glee Club next year as I am trying to not juggle so many hats and settle down a little, work-wise,” Tremblay said.
Tremblay must balance her many creative projects that include Iron Mountain Theatre, Company Jump, the Rossland Council for Arts and Culture, private voice lessons, and now her work as stage manager at the Charles Bailey Theatre.
“I have not yet decided for sure,” she said, “but I don’t want to relive this year’s schedule ever again!”
Of course, the Glee Club has shown on numerous occasions in the past — when Tremblay has been traveling with IMT — that they willingly gather for their weekly practice in any case.
The choir works with their talented pianist Terry Simpson to refine their repertoire just for the love of singing together, choir members report.
In the meantime, audiences thanked Tremblay and the Glee Club for brightening the weekend with songs of joy.