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- calendar_today November 9, 2026
Alberta Choirs Invited to Shine at CBC Edmonton Event
This December, the Horowitz Theatre at the University of Alberta will come alive with local voices as CBC Edmonton hosts ‘Make the Season Sing,’ a seasonal concert spotlighting amateur choirs from across the province. The event, part of the annual Make the Season Kind campaign, offers choirs and vocal ensembles the opportunity to perform on a public stage and share stories of community engagement and kindness.
Singing Outnumbers Skating: Choir Culture in Alberta
According to Brendan Lord, executive director of Choir Alberta, an estimated 340,000 Albertans participate in choirs—surpassing the number who play hockey in the province. These choirs are diverse, spanning schools, community groups, spiritual and cultural organizations, and children’s ensembles. Many of these groups are volunteer-driven and contribute to their communities through performances at hospitals, nursing homes, and public events.
How Choirs Can Participate in ‘Make the Season Sing’
Amateur choirs and vocal ensembles are invited to apply for a chance to perform at the upcoming ‘Make the Season Sing’ event. To be considered, interested groups must complete an online form by midnight on December 4. Selected choirs will be featured during a live broadcast of CBC’s ‘Radio Active’ from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on December 17. The event will be open to the public and also streamed live on YouTube, amplifying the reach of Alberta’s choral traditions.
CBC Radio Active Hosts to Lead the Event
‘Make the Season Sing’ will offer attendees a chance to meet ‘Radio Active’ hosts Jessica Ng and Min Dhariwal, pick up CBC merchandise, and enjoy an afternoon of music and celebration in a state-of-the-art venue. The event is free to the public and forms part of CBC’s nationwide effort to support local food banks.
Choral Singing’s Impact: Research and Community Voices
Hannah Bayne, a PhD candidate in the University of Alberta’s School of Public Health, has firsthand experience performing in Edmonton-area choirs since childhood. She notes that scientific studies link music-making with a sense of connectedness, purpose, and well-being. “This is always my favourite way to sing — in a choir. Where everyone is there to support and uplift each other, in a season of giving,” Bayne said. She emphasized that creating music together creates a collective spirit and reinforces the capacity for individuals to come together as a community.
Event Supports More than Music
Hosted in Edmonton, the ‘Make the Season Sing’ concert connects both performers and audience members to a broader effort of outreach and kindness, with its proceeds supporting local food banks. The event celebrates the contributions of Alberta’s many volunteer choirs while highlighting the social and emotional benefits of singing together during the holiday season.
Source: cbc.ca.
