SOUTH SHORE – by Kevin McBain
IIf you have ever heard or seen the chorus, Seaside A Cappella perform, you can instantly tell in their voices and on their faces that they truly have a heart for singing. 

This female group of singers range in age from eight to 92 and they have been in competitions and have performed throughout North America, but they have never crossed the ocean...until this year. 

This chorus will be headed across the ocean to Ireland this October to share their joy and passion for their craft. There will be taking part in the Irish Association of Barbershop Singers convention. 

For the past few years, during this time of year, they have competed at the international competition in the United States, along with other choruses throughout North America. The trip to Ireland will replace this annual excursion. 

Leading the chorus is director Judy Comeau, who has over five decades of experience leading choruses in Ontario, Quebec and throughout the Maritimes, finding much success. She started Seaside A Cappella in July 2017. 

She said to carry the Canadian and Nova Scotia flag means so much to her and her chorus. They have carried it proudly on their trips to the Harmony Incorporated International competition in the United States each year. 

“When we were competing in Kentucky last year, I thought I would love for my chorus to share the experience of doing something totally new, especially something that would be like a vacation for us, as well as a convention,” said Comeau. 

“As well as going to the convention, there will be a large number of us going in advance and touring together. It will also give us a chance to build our fellowship within our chorus and meet a whole bunch of random people from the other side of the pond.” 

She added that many family members and friends will be joining them on this journey. 

Although it sounds like the trip would be much more expensive to head over to Ireland rather than somewhere in the midwest of the U.S., Comeau said it really isn’t much more, adding that there are direct flights from Halifax to Dublin now. Normally, there are connection flights when heading to the American events. 

How excited is everyone for the trip? 

“They are about this high off the floor right now,” said Comeau, indicating with her hand two or three feet of the ground. 

Andrea Dean, president of the chorus, said this is just a great opportunity. 

“The opportunity to make those connections; to hone our craft...you don’t really know how good you are unless you go out and hear what others are doing. Nobody wants to be judged per se, but it’s the only way we get better. Everybody’s very excited to go,” she said. 

Comeau added, “Each year we work towards getting better. Our goal when we go to competitions are not necessarily to win, but to give us a benchmark that we always want to be better.” 

Comeau said that Ireland will have the same judging standards as they do in North America. 

MAKING IT HAPPEN 

Travel is always expensive and with the support of the community in the past, most members of the chorus are able to attend the competitions. 

The chorus relies on this support and they are proud to represent Nova Scotia and Canada wherever they go. 

Each year the members participate in several events and promotions to spread the word about the chorus and to raise money. 

Last year they were able to obtain their charitable status, allowing them to offer income tax receipts to donors that give over $25. Dean says this has definitely helped in attracting larger, corporate sponsors. 

Each year they sell chocolates around Easter time and put on various performances such as in Lunenburg in June, when they collaborate with the Rotary Club. Comeau said they would like to do more collaborations like this, especially in Chester and Liverpool areas, expanding their reach to those areas. 

This year they are hoping to add in an Irish show around St. Patrick’s Day in Bridgewater. There may also be another in the fall, a friends and family night, just before they leave. 

NEXT... 

Comeau is always looking for ways to share joy through music. Anyone is invited to attend their rehearsals (check their website: www.seasideacapella.com) 

She is now looking at starting a mixed chorus – calling all men!!! 

Years ago, she started a couple of men’s choruses in Ontario and northern New Brunswick and at that time, she said that was a no-no for women to direct men. 

But now times have changed and she wants to put a mixed chorus together if there are enough men that would want to join. She said that this can happen at anytime and encourages men to get in contact with her. 

She would like to get this new barbershop-style chorus to perform at this year’s Christmas concert – another new initiative that is being planned to take the place of their annual fall concert. 

“I thought, to do a song with both men and women as a finale would be fabulous, then I found another song...so there may be more. I’m hoping it will fly.” 

Seaside A Capella will once again be competing at the Lunenburg County Music Festival in April and at the area contest in June. 

She also wants the chorus to be the go-to group to sing national anthems, noting that they have sang the Canadian and American national anthems at the South Shore Exhibition on two occasions. Earlier this month, they also sang the Canadian national anthem at a Lumberjacks game. 

They will perform the national anthem for just $175 and they can do a recording that can be played, for $100 each time. 

Again, going back a bit, constant improvement is a goal for Comeau and members of Seaside A Cappella. Comeau said they are on the right trajectory. 

“We are now at a solid B+ level in our grade. Last year we started working towards an A level and in our last contest actually hit a couple of scores in the low 80s, so we broke into that A level, which is great.” 

Achieving the highest level of excellence, sharing the joy of music and performing and carrying the flag of Nova Scotia and Canada is what this chorus is all about. 

Stay tuned for upcoming performances and fundraising initiatives as we work toward making this dream a reality. To learn more about our chorus and how you can support us, visit www.seasideacappella.com.