The Gettin’ Higher Choir (GHC) is a large, exuberant, and inclusive “come-as-you-are” choir that embodies the idea that singing is our birthright. The choir was founded by Siobhan Robinsong in 1996 and co-directed for many years by Denis Donnelly. Its current directors are husband-and-wife team, Cathy Baker and Dick Jackson.
“The GHC was formed by Siobhan Robinsong when she realized upon moving to Victoria that there were no public choirs that people could join without having to pass an audition, which is an intimidating thing for a lot of people,” says Dick. “Even the shyest voice can discover the joy of singing. So, by word of mouth, she got 40 people together on the first night and it grew from there.”
A LOVE STORY
Dick and Cathy have a romance that began with song. “Our story started when we were introduced to each other by a mutual friend who was in the GHC. There was a bit of matchmaking there, and we have been together ever since.” Cathy’s life was in pieces after her first marriage went south. “Once my marriage broke up, I was with friends on the Colorado River singing three-part harmony under a starry sky when I burst into tears. It became crystal clear that music is too important to me to ignore and that a musical partnership had to be part of my future life.”
Cathy found her musical partner in Dick and they have been collaborating since they met. Dick always believed Cathy would be a great leader. “Cathy thought it would be good to take the Community Choir Leadership Training course,” he says. “At the same time, the door was opening for new leadership at the GHC, and we walked through that door together.”
Denis and Siobhan supported and groomed Dick and Cathy and gave them opportunities to co-lead. Training, practice, and natural leading abilities paved the way for the couple to step into the co-directorship they now hold with GHC.
“Dick and Cathy bring a depth of soul to this choir that transcends the music. They both have amazing musical talent, and they are extremely knowledgeable about the history of the songs – often citing the musicians, lyricists and the cultural or social context in which the song was written,” says INSPIRED publisher, Barbara Risto, who has joined the choir on Zoom. “The songs they pick are so uplifting and nourishing to the spirit… it’s a tremendous gift during this stressful time.”
COVID-19
With COVID-19, the world has been flipped on its side. However, even amid the pandemic Cathy and Dick haven’t given up.
“The quality of the connection is strong and even now with Zoom that quality and intimacy can come through if you are open to it,” says Cathy. Dick agrees, “We have been trying to keep the experience intimate as much as we can during this time. We keep on going with a smile on our faces and a song in our hearts. It feels like we need to give more of ourselves through Zoom than we need to in person.”
One of the reasons the couple switched the choir from in-person to Zoom was that they wanted to help people who are in isolation.
“We had thought about what kind of choir there could be for people who are shut-in or far away, and now we know we can do it on Zoom,” says Cathy.
Dick explains how his team tries to create a special experience for all members: “Right now, we have about 70 singers who join in on Tuesday or Thursday evening, which is about half the number who were with us before the pandemic hit,” says Dick. “We are really happy to have attracted a few new singers from elsewhere in Canada and the US! We are very fussy about our song choices: our songs need to be uplifting ones that feed the soul and that we can sing many times and not get tired of the music or the message.”
CHARITY
Charity is an integral part of the GHC choir, and they have been involved in a plethora of causes since their inception.
“The GHC has been doing fundraising concerts twice a year, for local and international causes, for over 20 years,” says Dick. “Early on, Siobhan became friends with someone who had come to Canada as a war refugee, from the village of Kapasseni in Mozambique. The Caia Connection is a Canadian charity that supports development projects in that region.
THE KAPASSENI PROJECT
“Through our shared love of African songs, the lives of the GHC and of our little village, Kapasseni, have become magically interwoven. It has meant so much to the people of Kapasseni to know there are people on the other side of the world who care so deeply,” says Perpetua Alfazema, Founder and Coordinator of the Kapasseni Project. This Project is committed to aiding in the rebirth of Mozambique by helping children and their families with educational opportunities, medical assistance, community development and spiritual support.
The GHC has performed concerts for Kapasseni since 1999. With their assistance, the Kapasseni people have been able to build a five-room schoolhouse, provide a breakfast program for children, build, equip and staff a health centre, plant orchards and manage gardens.
The project was established in 1995 by Mozambican refugees and long-time Victoria, BC residents Joseph and Perpetua Alfazema. The couple was emotionally drawn to assisting their homeland after a 30-year war that obliterated schools, hospitals, croplands, churches, roads, and the ability of the people to live healthy, self-sufficient lives.
“We took on a little community in Mozambique in 1999, and we’ve been raising $10,000 to $25,000 a year since then. We’ve actually helped make Kapasseni into a community that has hope.”
CONCERTS
On January 30, 2021, the GHC is planning an online fundraising concert. Admission will be free with viewers encouraged to provide donations to GHC’s charity partners: Big Brothers/Big Sisters Victoria and Area, and Habitat Acquisition Trust.
If you’re interested in joining the Getting’ Higher Choir, visit the link below to get more information. You’ll be singing online and in front of crowds in no time! Remember, the quality of your voice is not important. What’s important is that you’re singing!
Feature Photo: Bill Weaver
MORE INFORMATION:
http://www.gettinhigherchoir.ca
Getting’ Higher Choir YouTube channel
Videos from GHC’s June 2020 concert
Caia Connection
Journey to Kapasseni
Return to Kapasseni
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