Welcome to the communitY CHOIR
Aurora Chorealis is a non-auditioned choir of singers aged 16 and older. We aim to create a supportive community that values artistry and musical growth. More information on us and how to join Aurora Chorealis are below.
We will be rehearsing for performances in the 2026-27 season.
When and Where do we Sing?
We rehearse every Tuesday, starting Sept 9th from 7:00 – 9:30 pm. We will be back at Calvary Church (* front door please*) Doors open at 6:30.
Singers are expected to practice on their own and to stay current if travel or illness results in a missed rehearsal. Tips for how-to practice on your own are in this video. A detailed plan for each rehearsal is shared with registered members to facilitate at home practice. An array of learning tools are also available.
Meet the Team (Co-Directors and Collaborative Accompanist)
Rhoda Andrews
Co-Director
Rhoda (she/her/elle) is a lifelong Yellowknifer whose love of choral music began in Grade 3. She sang with Bill Gilday’s Yellowknife Youth Choir through her school years, later singing with the University of Alberta Mixed Chorus and returning to Aurora Chorealis at several points throughout her life. For the past decade, she has been an active member of the choir while her children participated in the choir community.
A dedicated supporter of community music, Rhoda has served Aurora Chorealis in a variety of roles, including board member and guest conductor. She values the many opportunities choral singing creates for learning and connection. Through Aurora Chorealis, she has participated in collaborations and festivals across the North and Canada, including Fort Smith, Calgary, and Vancouver.
Outside of music, Rhoda works as a public servant after a twenty-year career in aviation.
As Co-Director, Rhoda is passionate about fostering a choir culture where people experience belonging, musical growth, and joyful challenge. She believes that singing together helps build community, deepen connection, and bring out the best in one another.
Kara Cherland
Co-Director
Originally from Saskatchewan, Kara has lived in Yellowknife with her family since 2010. She has worked as a music educator for 15 years at both Weledeh Catholic School and Ecole Allain St Cyr, leading choirs and school performances. She has also taught singing lessons privately, working with children & adults.
A vocal performance major at Concordia University, she has always enjoyed being a part of community performances both in ensembles and as a soloist. She has shared the NACC stage in productions with BAM (Sedna, Holtz the Planets) with COSY (Out of the Box, Northern Divas) as well as being a member of a Forte Below, a Yellowknife a cappella group & with Aurora Chorealis performing the Requiem (April 2011).
Kara is passionate about the performing arts and very excited to be part of the Aurora Chorealis team as a co-director. She believes that making music together is an important joy to pursue. It helps us to remember that we are all connected and able to enrich one anothers’ experiences of life.
Shauna Morgan
Collaborative Accompanist
Shauna Morgan came to Yellowknife in November 2008 on a short-term contract, fell in love with the place, and has decided to make the north her home. Born and raised near Barrie, Ontario, Shauna began studying piano at the age of 7 and went on to accompany her high school and university concert choirs. She has been accompanying Aurora Chorealis since 2009, expanding her musical skills over the years to include djembe, tuned water glasses, tone chimes and various other percussion instruments.
Becoming a Member
New members are welcome in September and January each year. No previous experience with choirs or music reading skill is needed. Register here.
To join, singers must do a voice placement with the Director.
Voice Placement
All new singers must do a voice placement with one of the Co-Directors. It is best to do this before joining a rehearsal. It takes about 15-20 mins. It involves some singing and some get-to-know-each-other chat.
A voice placement confirms that each new member can carry a tune – either alone or with some help, and has control of enough notes that it will be possible to fit within a choir section. It is also used to place each singer within the choir. The choir is divided into 4 main sections:
- Soprano – for the highest voices;
- Alto – for mid-high voices;
- Tenor – for mid-low voices; and
- Bass – for the lowest voices.
Each of these 4 larger sections are divided into 1st and 2nd singers. The higher voices sing the 1st part, and the lower voices sing the 2nd part. We also try to have equal numbers in the 1st and 2nd parts.
In the voice placement, singers are asked to sing “Happy Birthday” on their own. This is normally private, but if it helps, you can do this with a friend.
After singing Happy Birthday, each singer will be asked to sing a series of notes to determine their highest and lowest notes. Based on this exercise, every singer is assigned a section (soprano, alto, tenor bass) and a part in that section (1st or 2nd).
If singing a tune is very challenging for a singer, the Director will decide if and how that singer can participate in the choir and will discuss those options with that singer.
Voice placements are still being done on Zoom. Please email to arrange this at ykchoralsociety@gmail.com.
Rehearsal and Performance Expectations
Our goal is to have fun and work hard to prepare our music to a high standard of performance. This is only possible if singers:
- attend rehearsals regularly
- are on time
- practice between rehearsals (this video has many ideas for you)
Singers will learn the music through attending rehearsals, by using the practice tools created each season and practicing between rehearsals. Many singers learn by ear. Others read music. All singers will have access to a private page on this website which includes essential information for each season, vocal tracks and elementary music reading tools.
In performances, some music each season is sung from memory. Sometimes these songs involve body percussion (clapping/stamping etc) or choreographed movement. In other songs, singers may use sheet music provided and kept in a black binder or music folder. Music folders are available for purchase.
If a singer will miss a rehearsal or a performance they must notify the Director and their section leader in advance. Singers who appear to be unprepared for a performance can be told they cannot perform some or all of the music in a concert. This decision is made at the discretion of the Director in consultation with the singer.
A singer can also withdraw from a performance (but stay within the choir) after discussion with the Director as soon as possible after making that decision.
Please review the Membership Guidelines for more information about this and more!
Membership Fees
There are 2 fees to be paid each year:
- Society membership fee of $50
- Choir Registration Fees: $200 per year (Sept-April) or $100 for half a year (Sept-Dec or Jan-April)
Once registered, fees are paid and a voice placement is done, members are loaned copies of the music for each season. The music may be provided in paper form or electronically as a PDF. The music is valuable and we ask all members to use only pencil in their music and to return the music in good condition at the end of each concert.
Once registered, members will also receive the password for the private singer’s website page. There, singers will find learning tracks, weekly announcements, helpful documents and links to recordings of the new and past music. This password will be changed at the start of each season.
Volunteer and Fund Raising Expectations
All singers are expected to volunteer to help with necessary tasks, ticket sales and fundraising activities. Requests for your help are included in the Registration Form.