I am always touched, flattered and surprised when I hear someone talk of Men On the Rock as part of the Bowen Island community fabric. The choir’s DOB is September 2016, so we are still “newbies” but have a great fan club of Bowen Islanders that even stretches across the water to the continent.
Thank you, Bowen, and thank you to all of you guys who have participated in Men On the Rock, giving your very best always. Our concerts mostly sell out, always include a variety of talented guest musicians, and audiences always leave with warm hearts, having laughed and cried. Our last official concert before the pandemic was May 2019 in West Van, where we sang to over 200 people and then in late February 2020 an intimate, less formal house concert on Bowen.
The pandemic hasn’t been kind to choirs, no secrets there. Singing in choirs has been verboten since March 2020.
Throughout the pandemic, when I ventured out to the Cove for weekly supplies, I was inevitably asked by a fellow islander “how are Men On the Rock?” “What are they up to?” “We sure miss hearing them.” With COVID and rehearsals on Zoom our attendance dwindled until we were down to five guys. I suppose we could have started a hamburger take-out joint but instead we decided to disband in January 2021 until restrictions loosened.
Now into summer and people busy catching up with their friends and family, we will await September before re-banding back together, in full force hopefully.
For many years we had four or five guys come over to Bowen to rehearse each Monday from West Vancouver, North Vancouver and even as far as Point Grey – talk about dedication. Some of these men have moved away, retired etc., so Men On the Rock will need new blood, new voices and even a new rehearsal night.
I am urging you, fellows, if you are new to Bowen or have been here forever, consider trying us out. There is no audition or prerequisite to joining, just an ounce of willingness and a dash of humour. That’s it. Please reach out and don’t be shy, call me, Nicole, at 778-926-4286 or email ntzharmonium@mac.com. I wear many hats in the music community but Men On the Rock, Bowen’s Male Choir, holds a special place in my heart, believe me, and I want it to continue. But, I can only make it work if you guys come forward and join. I can take care of everything else, but I cannot sing in your place! Even if you have never sung in a choir before, it is not too late – it’s never too late.
C’mon out and you’ll see: an evening of camaraderie singing with a bunch of guys may be just what you are missing each week.
Repertoire is eclectic let’s say, from Gregorian chant to Pink Floyd, Thomas Tallis to Tom Waits. Rehearsal time is to be determined. It will depend on you guys and what works best for you all. Watch for updates in the community calendar as we approach September. I look forward to hearing from you!
