SOUL OF THE WORLD COMMUNITY CHOIR
*** Indoors for Winter 2025, at Aspira Retirement Home in South Surrey, B.C. Canada. ***
*** Try the first session for free on January 23! (Only pay if you sign up for the season). ***
Sing for the joy of it!
Express your heart and soul through music.
Learn uplifting songs in harmony from around the world in a relaxed, community song circle.
All voices welcome. No auditions.
Music is your birthright! Our choir is an informal, joyful, playful song circle, where you can learn new songs, develop your voice and be part of a friendly community.
We gather weekly to learn uplifting, fun and contemplative songs and chants from around the world. Many of our songs are rooted in nature with themes of world peace and interconnection.
We enjoy relaxing, pressure-free singing, in harmony, rhythm and creative community.
Sessions also include Heidi’s unique holistic vocal warm-ups, and circle-singing, an improvisational practice of singing the music of the moment, made popular by Bobby McFerrin and Rhiannon. Heidi accompanies the group with her guitar, frame drum and shruti box.
The Soul of the World Choir was founded in 2011, when Heidi was awarded a provincial anti-racism grant from Embrace BC, to foster community and celebrate diversity through song. Several members of our group have been with us since the beginning!
We welcome singers of all levels (yes, even absolute beginners!) who want to express and develop their voice in an informal, relaxed and inclusive atmosphere. We learn songs by aural tradition or with lyric sheets, so there is no need to read music. All voices welcome - there are no auditions.
***Try the first session for free! (Only pay if you love it and sign up for the season).***
DATES & TIMES:
8 Thursdays, Thursday, January 23 - March 13, 2025
5 - 6:30 pm
Performance for Residents at Aspira: Sunday March 16 at 1:30 pm.
LOCATION:
Aspira Peninsula Retirement Living (building behind Aru Spa)
2088 152nd Street, South Surrey, BC
Please plan to arrive 10-15 mins early to park, walk, sign in, and make your way up to the room.
Parking: Very limited on site, so please save a couple of spots for choir members with mobility issues. Most of us can park at Windsor Square Mall or on a nearby street and walk about one block. Carpool if you can.
Signing in onsite: For resident safety we all need to sign in and out each time. Use the kiosk in the entranceway between the two front two doors (it looks like an ATM).
The multipurpose room is on the second floor. Ask at the front desk the first day and they will show you where it is.
HEALTH & SAFETY:
Choir is a fragrance-free zone. Please don't use scented skin or hair products, essential oils, lotion, strongly scented laundry soap (like Gain) or fabric softener.
Remember to stay home if you aren't feeling well, have had a recent exposure to illness, or could still be contagious after illness. You can practice with the links I will send out instead if need be.
Choir is a welcoming space for people of all orientations, ethnicities, genders, abilities and ages (children must be accompanied by an adult).
I do my best to ensure that any multicultural songs we sing are ethically and respectfully sourced, and support de-colonization through community music-making and celebrating music from folk and world traditions.
SEASONAL FEE:
$165
HOW TO REGISTER:
Email me at hrmccurdy@telus.net to reserve your spot.
Send payment (3 options):
* E-transfer to coachhmc@telus.net
* PayPal to coachhmc@telus.net
* Bring cash or cheque
* Sliding scale available by request. No-one turned away for lack of funds (space permitted).Check your email for confirmation and the lyrics. Print your lyrics and bring them to the first session (or let me know if you are not able to print them).
Interested in Private Voice Coaching as well?
Choir membership is FREE when your purchase my
SING FROM YOUR SOUL 6-session immersion!
Email me to discuss.
“Thank you for bringing a joy back into my life.”
ABOUT THE MAGIC AND MEDICINE OF MUSIC:
Music is a powerful healing force that helps us connect more deeply with each other, with ourselves, with the earth and with the roots of inspiration. Singing enriches our lives in many ways, increasing our vitality, well-being, health and happiness. Harmony, tone and rhythm are universal expressions of the human spirit, and serve as beautiful pathways to more fun, joy, mindfulness and self-compassion.
ABOUT HEIDI:
Heidi McCurdy is an award-winning singer and songwriter with a passion for teaching, sharing and creative collaboration. Having cultivated her own intimate relationship with the Muse, Heidi is a believer in the profound medicine of music – its power to heal, transform, elevate and connect us all. She weaves together wisdom gathered over 30 years as a performer and recording artist, improviser, voice coach, song leader, sound healer, Expressive Arts Therapist and facilitator for her unique holistic voice method and transformational courses.
Heidi holds a Masters in Arts Education from SFU, a Certificate in Expressive Arts Therapy from Langara, and a BFA in Creative Writing from UBC, with additional training in vocal improvisation and sound healing methods. She works with private students and groups, has facilitated programs for the BC Play Therapy Association, Learning Through the Arts (RCM), Surrey School District, and Sarah McLachlan School of Music. She has also enjoys serving as guest artist or faculty for retreats such as Naramata Centre, Songroots Singing Camp and Guitar Workshop Plus. She recently served on the Faculty at Langara College, teaching a course on Voice & Music Expressive Arts Therapy.
“Thank you so much for being the beautiful, loving and fun person that you are and for creating The Soul of the World Choir for me to have joy every week.”
“I really need this weekly singing group. I get depressed without it! It brings me so much happiness and helps me stay healthy and well.”
“The soul of the world is in our bones now.”
GOOD TIMES THROUGH THE YEARS - Photos & Videos
