Lonnie Moddle is nearly finished her year as the Village Voices’ choral director.
“I’ve been having a ball,” said Moddle, who has over 30 years of choral directing experience. “They (the choir members) are a wonderful group.”
Moddle took over from Rosemary Lindsay, who took a year’s leave of absence from the Village Voices to direct the VIU College Singers choir. However, Lindsay said she will return to her post with the Village Voices next year.
As such, Moddle’s final shows with the Village Voices will be the choir’s two spring concerts: Sing & Rejoice and Music in You. Both events feature a “nicely balanced” blend of genres, including folk, African, classic spring tunes and more. “There are joyful things to songs that pull at your heartstrings,” she said. “It’s going to be a nice concert for everyone to enjoy.”
While the choir will draw from the same repertoire in both shows, Moddle said their selection in the first concert will run shorter. That’s because the Village Voices will share the stage with special guests the Sinclair Singers, an auditioned choir for young adults out of Nanaimo and under the direction of Sharon Sinclair.
“We’re really excited to have them join us,” said Moddle. “They’re a stunning set of young adults.”
For both events, the singers will be accompanied by Pippa Williams. Williams joined the Village Voices for their set of fall concerts in 2014.
Village Voices, which Moddle said currently contains around 60 members, perform four large concerts a year: two in the fall and two in spring. The group also takes to the street for events throughout the year, such a carolling during Moonlight Madness and a flash mob in Quality Foods.
Again, the first of the spring concerts, which includes the Sinclair Singers, will be Sing & Rejoice on Sunday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Knox United Church in Parksville (345 Pym Street). The second concert, Music in You, will take place on Sunday, April 26 at 2:30 p.m. at the Christian Fellowship Centre in Qualicum Beach (825 Village Way).
Tickets for each concert are $15 for adults, $10 for students and free for children 12 and under. They can be purchased in advance at Mulberry Bush Bookstores in both Parksville and Qualicum Beach, or at the door of each concert.