Virtual Choir comes to Calvary

Since March 2020, Calvary’s Senior Choir has been unable to sing together in the Sanctuary, with the Church being closed for in-person worship. When Calvary began live-streaming Sunday Services on Thursday, April 1st, the Sanctuary looked vast and bare with only the minister, music director and soloist in attendance. What could be done to make this space feel warm and welcoming once again?

And then on April 25th, designated as Humour Sunday, the choir made an unexpected appearance back in the choir loft, looking better than ever! Someone wondered if it was computer antics? Others thought it was a great surprise.

The virtual choir is the creation of Ruthanne McLagan, a choir member and an artist. Each member of the virtual choir is a caricature of a real choir member and is wearing the member’s gown.

“Every Sunday is Humour Sunday when the choir is in the loft,” says Ruthanne McLagan. “We are known for our voices, appetites, and laughter. Our cardboard stand-ins currently are wearing our gowns and our smiles as our recorded hymns and anthems play. What does the choir think of my caricatures? Each member approved their likeness before I displayed them, saying, “thanks for making me look so tanned and thin’. Amazing what cardboard can do for our image!””

Our Supply Minister, Rev. Susan Cameron commented, “when I first saw ‘the choir’ it made me happy to see their smiling faces. It was fun to try to figure out who was whom, as I have only met the choir via zoom since I began serving Calvary in November.”  

The real choir continues to record the music in their homes and emails the recording to Denise Jung, our Music Director. Denise puts all the tracks together to make the final version played during Sunday’s service.

Even though the real choir members cannot be in the church at present, they know they are well represented. Plus, it brings a smile to the face of everyone that sees the virtual choir smiling back at them.