Kamloops Pride Choir is a vocal group completely comprised of members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and allies. Open to all ages and all vocal abilities, the choir gets together each week to learn, grow, sing, and, most importantly, create and celebrate community.
Director Heidi Muendel puts it best: “Our choir is dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and empowering space for queer individuals and their allies to express themselves through music. We strive to uplift voices, amplify stories, and inspire change through our performances and advocacy efforts. Together we sing for love, acceptance, and equity for all.”
That togetherness is what makes the choir what it is. The group is a colorful mix of ages, backgrounds, and voices, and Muendel couldn’t be prouder of the variety. “We support diversity in our very makeup! We have members of all ages: children to elders, people of all levels of musical and vocal ability, varied backgrounds, and full spectrum of identity. Members who suit this environment are kind, inclusive, and love to sing!”
For Muendel, it’s not just the music that keeps her coming back, it’s encouraging people to be their very best, authentic selves. “One of the greatest riddles humans work with is that of identity and self-worth. I find that this choir represents people who are willing to challenge social norms and find a voice for diversity. There is such beauty in people discovering their genuine selves while creating safe space in a caring and creative community.” Her personal mission, she says, is helping people discover their potential and remember that every one of us is a valuable aspect of the whole. “We each have something extraordinary to contribute.”
If you’re looking to join the choir, it is open to new members twice a year — in September and January. They’ve recently become a membership choir to help keep things sustainable, but there’s still room for part-time “drop-in” folks. The only real ask is that you show up ready to sing, have fun, and maybe even get a little silly while learning.
And if you’d rather listen than sing, there’s loads of opportunity for that, too. The Pride Choir can be found at some of Kamloops’ most meaningful events: Transgender Day of Awareness, World AIDS Day, the big Christmas Choral Rhapsody, and of course, Pride at Riverside Park. They also team up with Muendel’s Voice Studio a couple of times a year. This past August they celebrated their very first full concert. Something they’re hoping to make a yearly thing. But you don’t have to wait too long, the next performance is coming up on November 2 at 2:00 pm at St Andrews on 6th.
Whether you come to watch or join in for the singing, supporting the choir doesn’t have to be complicated. As Muendel puts it: “Come see us! Follow us on social media: share, like, post. Send us queer singers! Be kind. And of course — donations.”
In the meantime, the choir will continue to raise their voices in joyous celebration of the community that they continue to build.