How do I join Lift?

To join us, complete the on-line registration form on the Join Us page, pay your choir fees, and attend rehearsals.  That’s it – no auditions here – you are welcome in this fully inclusive, mixed voice adult community!

Please note that Lift has a membership capacity of 70.  Once reached, registration for the current season is closed, but you are welcome to join the waiting list for the following season.

Can I try Lift before I join?

Certainly. You can attend a couple of rehearsals before deciding whether to join us.  You must register and pay your fees no later than the third rehearsal of each season.

What does the schedule look like?

There are two seasons per year:

• Spring 2026 will start on Tuesday, January 27th, with the concert being held on Wednesday, May 13th.
• Fall 2026 will start on Tuesday, September 8th, with the concert being held on Wednesday, December 9th.

When and where to we rehearse?

We rehearse on Tuesday nights from 6:30 to 8:45pm.  We also hold two to three workshops each season on Saturday mornings.  We are grateful to the Church of Christ the King, 2000 Loch Lomond Rd, Saint John, NB E2N 1A2 (view map) for providing our rehearsal space.  There is ample parking and the building is fully accessible.

Lift Community Choir rehearses in a church. Is it a religious choir?

No, we are simply very fortunate and grateful to be welcomed by the Church of Christ the King community for our rehearsals.

What about performances?

Christmas season: a public performances in early December
Spring season: a public performances mid-May, before the Victoria Day weekend

These performances are open to all on a pay-as-you-can basis, with proceeds to be shared with a local charity. 

We may also perform at community events which will vary from season to season.

How much does it cost?

Choir members are asked to pay a fee at the beginning of each season (fall and spring).  Fees are payable by e-transfer to info@liftcommunitychoir.ca (preferred) or in cash at rehearsal.  Fees are $75 per season.

Where does the money go?

The choir’s primary expense is music.  We perform only music that we have purchased in support of the talented composers and arrangers who create it for us.  Fees include your music, which typically costs about $40-$50 per choir member, per season. 

While the Artistic Director donates his time to the choir, any additional musicians receive an honoraium to acknowledge their time and talents.  Space rental,  marketing, supplies, and other items make up the balance of expenses.  We are a not-for-profit corporation, and as such our membership will receive full financial disclosure at each general meeting.

Do I need singing experience?

We often hear “I love to sing, but I’m not a singer”. Some members will have had previous choir experience but many have not.

Everyone has a voice – sometimes it just needs a little help finding its way!  Don’t worry! You’ll be surrounded by other singers who will support you because they’ll be singing too. That’s the exciting thing about singing as a choir – everyone supports everyone else, and the sound of so many voices singing the same part as yours will help you to find the way.

Hint: if you’re someone who hasn’t had a lot of singing experience or doesn’t read music, find the experienced singers and sight readers and sit next to one of them during rehearsals. 

How do I determine my vocal range?

Your vocal range determines whether you’ll be in the Soprano, Alto or Baritone section of the choir (Baritone is a combination of Tenor and Bass).  Put simply, Sopranos sing the highest notes, usually the melody.  Altos sing in the middle, and Baritones sing the lower notes.  It’s important to note that our vocal range changes over the course of our lifetime – as we age, our range tends to get lower.  And, with practice, you can extend both the high and low ends of your vocal range.  If you’re not sure about your vocal range, you can use on-line tools like the Simply Sing app, available for IOS and Android (you can test your range for free, but using their other features requires a subscription).  Or, you can speak to the Artistic Director at your first rehearsal for a vocal range check.

Will I have to sing alone?

The Artistic Director might ask you to sing a few notes as part of a small group or on your own to help confirm your vocal range.   Other than that, you’ll always be singing with your section or the entire group, unless you choose to audition for a solo. 

We know that it may take some courage to come out and join Lift, but you’ll soon find that your fears have melted away. You’ll have lots of support from people who’ve been exactly where you are!

What happens at a rehearsal?

During each rehearsal, the Artistic Director takes us through a warm-up and a number of songs. At first we are just getting a feel for the songs as each section learns their parts. We sing in three sections – soprano, alto and baritone (arrangements are suitable for tenor or bass voices). We laugh a lot. Fine tuning happens in later weeks and the results are pure magic.

What if I miss a rehearsal?

Joining Lift is a commitment, both to the music and the community.  And, life happens – most of us will miss an occasional rehearsal. You’ll be expected to review what you missed, and rehearsal notes will be provided by email each week. If you will miss more than 3 rehearsals in a season, we ask that you consult with the Artistic Director about your readiness to sing in concerts. Everyone is expected to attend the dress rehearsal (the one immediately before our big shows) and all public concerts.

Who chooses the songs?

The Artistic Director chooses the program. Music for the full year is normally chosen during the summer months.

What kind of music do we sing?

We sing a little of everything: pop, light classical, jazz, spiritual, international, show tunes, and of course holiday and Christmas music, at a variety of difficulty levels. There is something for everyone on each of our programs.

 

Copyright 2023-2026 Lift Community Choir All Rights Reserved