The Choirs

The Letz Sing choirs led by Tina Filippino are a departure from traditional choirs in that they do not use sheet music or written words. Each song is learned using a call and response teaching method, repeating words, phrases and melodies, and using hand motions and rhythms. The repertoire of songs ranges from traditional to contemporary, reflecting a diversity of origins, inspirations, cultures and beliefs from around the globe. Everyone fully participates in learning all of the different parts, rather than each harmony part being taught to an individual section of singers.

There are currently three active Letz Sing choir groups that meet weekly; Black Creek,  Comox, and Courtenay. Choir membership allows participation in any choir session scheduled during the term. Each class includes warm-ups for the voice and the body, an introduction to new material, as well as time to sing favourites from a growing repertoire of familiar songs.  Unlike most choirs, there is no commitment to performance.  Instead, at the end of each term all choir members gather for a Big Sing. Here all of the Letz Sing choirs join together to share a Sunday afternoon, singing the songs they’ve learned during the term.

Letz Sing choirs have also come together to provide entertainment and inspiration to community events. These are called S.W.A.T.’s, which stands for “Sing When Asked To”. As part of the Ubuntu Choirs philosophy, the choir participates in building community  and celebrating diversity. S.W.A.T. events are optional, but are generally very well attended by choir members.

“I love going to Tina's Letz Sing because it is so much fun. I sing in other choirs and this is the one that is the most fun, the most community-minded. Learning the songs only by listening and singing back surely has fired up new neurons on my brain - I'm serious! - and I feel more alive, more confident. Thanks for bringing this to the Comox Valley, Tina!”

The Ubuntu Choir Network:
Letz Sing is part of the Ubuntu Choirs Network, a network of choirs from communities all over the world that share a common philosophy to singing. The expression of harmony is as much an exercise of listening as it is of singing as each individual voice yields to the larger sound of blended voices. The Ubuntu model welcomes all voices into that blend, and provides an atmosphere of trust where voices and confidence can grow stronger.  Each choir is unique in its approach to teaching songs, but shares the common goal of building community through music.

Projects:
In addition to the weekly gatherings, the Letz Sing choir members also participate in events that help to build and better their community. Here are just a few of the projects that this group has contributed to:

The Power of Hope is an organization that provides events, activities and camps that promote youth empowerment through the arts. The Letz Sing choir has raised money to provide scholarships for youth pursuing an interest in the arts. 

Kapasseni Mozambique - a number of donations have been made to this community including  funds for  a traditional music program, as well as  school scholarships

In Caia Mozambique, money raised through Letz Sing has built a community well, provided sponsorship for the orphan breakfast program, and funded  a children’s music program.

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