Let’s do a show, they said. It will be fun, they said. AND IT WAS!

Alberta Gold presented two performances of The Next Season in November. Written and directed by our Associate Director, Nancy Kanuka, the show was the story of an amateur theatre company trying to decide on the musical product for their next season. During the show, we sang 22 Broadway songs (including small groups) and referenced, either through dialogue, music, costumes or sets, 93 Broadway shows.

When the concept was presented, it also came with a request for the chorus to learn 13 new songs, as well as brush up on five of our existing rep songs. There were three additional small groups and a quartet, as well as several solos. It was a daunting task, with an ambitious time frame (just about 12 months). In addition to learning the songs, we were also welcoming six new members who had never sung in a barbershop show before and moving a lead to tenor for the show songs. And, finally, there were some speaking parts – nine in total, plus a stage crew, sets, costumes and all the front office stuff that comes with a show.

There were a few tense moments as show day drew closer, but it all came together in the end and the chorus, and more importantly, the audience, all had a great time.

There were lots of things to do along the way, but we’d like to share our learning strategy, which made the show so successful in the end.

Each song was approached in the same way, with a consistent learning timetable:

·      Posted on the website for two weeks – for individual learning

·      Section practice on the third week

·      Working the song on the fourth week – duets, problem spots

·      Off paper and begin qualification the fifth week – taping on the risers or at home with the learning tracks

The learning schedule was extremely detailed, and songs overlapped. For example, one week we might be learning a song at home, doing a section practice on another song at rehearsal, working a third song, run-through and qualifying of a fourth song.

As the songs were learned by the chorus, we added a choreography element to those with choreo (the for the show, there were a lot!).

Rehearsal plans were meticulously laid out (on a spreadsheet!) and timed exactly for what we needed to accomplish. We made a few concessions along the way – early rehearsals for lines, moved “good news” to the end of rehearsal (when everyone was too tired to share it!) and shortened a few social events. We even stopped taking performance opportunities during the year, except for the Calgary Stampede, so we could let some old rep slide and debut new songs at the show.

By the time we were finished, all the songs and choreo were learned and qualified and we had a real sense of accomplishment.

Special thanks go to Alberta Gold’s director, Holly-Jean Kadonaga, for playing along and allowing the learning and show to follow this path. Most of all, thanks to Nancy for cracking the whip, having faith in the chorus, and helping us prove to ourselves that we can learn whatever we set our minds to!

Louise Percy, Alberta Gold Chorus