Join me at an upcoming circle or special event: whether you consider yourself a singer or not - shiny or rusty - all voices are welcome and belong!
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Humble Harmony BIG SING and potluck/ snackluck
Join Humble Harmony song circle for our BIG SING and potluck, on Saturday, Dec. 13, 1:30 - 4pm at Nanoose Bay Library Hall. At the end of every season, instead of a concert, folks from my three groups in Nanaimo and Parksville gather together somewhere in between, and celebrate by singing the songs we've been learning, and welcoming friends, family, and the community at large to join in. It’s a community sing! ALL VOICES WELCOME to join us in song (listeners too)!
Admission is by donation. PLEASE RSVP HERE (in case of cancellation due to snow).
1:30pm - song circle; 3-4pm: potluck / snackluck.
Nanoose Library Hall is a beautiful community space with great acoustics.
The songs we’re singing are on the themes of Resilience and Belonging:
4th Annual Community Christmas Singalong - PARKSVILLE
On Dec. 20, it’s my fourth annual Christmas Singalong at the McMillan Arts Centre in Parksville! With pianist Chrissandra Unger and pianist/ singer-songwriter James Pham. This is not a "choir" event, just a chance to share the joy of the season in song, in community. Lyrics will be projected on a big screen for all to sing along. Tickets $20/ $10 youth through the MAC box office. If you like Christmas carols and favourites, come share the joy! Here’s my original Christmas song recorded at this event a couple of years back.
Winter Solstice Community Song Circle - NANAIMO
Raise and weave your voice in a community song circle / informal harmony singing workshop, to celebrate the turning of the season from dark to light. A two-hour gathering with candles and a break for ginger-lemon tea! With April Laurie on percussion.
All songs are joyfully taught by call-and-response in the oral tradition; spirit-lifting songs of hope (non-religious) from the community singing movement, with harmony-rich layers that are are easy to learn by ear. All voices are welcome regardless of background - it’s about joy and connection, not perfection.
Some songs are taught with 3 or 4 harmony parts / layers, while others have a simple structure with opportunity for harmonies to arise organically. There are sometimes actions or easy body percussion to accompany the songs, and always freedom to move.
Admission is on a sliding scale, to provide access to folks with different background and economic access: $15 - 30; please choose what feels both generous and affordable to you.
Here are some of the songs we’ll sing:
Song Circle/ Harmony Workshop: Welcoming the Light - PARKSVILLE
Let’s give the returning sun a warm welcome in song, as we raise and weave our voices together in harmony in this two-hour informal workshop / community song circle. All voices are welcome regardless of experience; it’s about connection not perfection.
All songs are taught in the oral tradition by call and response, without sheet music. Some songs have 3 or 4 harmony parts, and some have a simple structure with room for harmonies to arise organically. There are sometimes actions or easy body percussion to accompany the songs, and always freedom to move. There are no “wrong notes” and our aim is joy and connection, not perfection.
Learn songs celebrating the returning light in the new year, songs to lift the spirit, by songwriters in the community singing movement (see event page), and one by the Beatles: “Here Comes The Sun”. The workshop is two hours, with a break for ginger tea; connect with others who love to sing!
All voices belong, whether you are a shy beginner or a confident pro. Experience the magic of community singing, in harmony, imperfectly!
To provide access to folks with diverse background and economic access, admission is on a sliding scale: $15 - 30: please choose what feels both affordable and generous for you. Payment and registration info, and song list, are on the event page.
Song Circle Workshop - Songs of Hope for the New Year - NANAIMO
Raise and weave your voice in a community song circle / informal harmony singing workshop, to co-create hope for the new year. A two-hour gathering with a break for ginger-lemon tea! With April Laurie on percussion and a vocal play warmup.
All songs are joyfully taught by call-and-response in the oral tradition; spirit-lifting songs of hope (non-religious) from the community singing movement, with harmony-rich layers that are are easy to learn by ear. All voices are welcome regardless of background - it’s about joy and connection, not perfection.
Some songs are taught with 3 or 4 harmony parts / layers, while others have a simple structure with opportunity for harmonies to arise organically. There are sometimes actions or easy body percussion to accompany the songs, and always freedom to move.
Song Circle & Sound Sculpting Playshop with Sylvia and April - NANAIMO
Harmonize and get creative with Sylvia and April in a two-part community singing event in Nanaimo: a song circle led by Sylvia, and a Sound Sculpting Playshop led by April. Come to one or both, with ginger tea in between!
1:00 - 2:20pm: Song Circle led by Sylvia Humble. Joyful, uplifting songs with layers and harmonies taught by ear, and room for creativity and movement. No experience necessary - this is community singing!
~ ginger tea in between ~ please bring amug
2:40 - 4:00pm: Sound Sculpting Playshop led by April Laurie. A playful, safe and expansive vocal improvisation experience. “We'll practice deep listening, soften our reactions, build off of what is happening around us… be surprised by the soulful, silly, mysterious, and gorgeous sounds that will happen!”
Cost: Sliding scale (to welcome folks of diverse economic access) $25 - 50 for both. Please choose the amount that feels both generous and affordable for you. It’s OK to attend just one half (min. $25 donation).
For more details please visit the event page.
Humble Harmony - Monday OPEN HOUSE Nanaimo
Joyful, non-performing Community Singing with Sylvia Humble in Nanaimo. Let’s harmonize, connect and have fun! All voices are welcome. Humble Harmony is part of the Ubuntu Choirs Network, which believes that singing is a universal birthright and that we can change the world by singing together. Let your voice rise and weave with community in an experiential group singing aimed at interconnectivity and vocal harmony.
Inspiring, uplifting songs with layers and harmonies taught by ear, and room for creativity and movment. No experience necessary - this is community singing!
The first week is Drop-in / Open House, then for the remaining five weeks of the season, we will be a “members only” group, to get to know the songs and each other, and to enrich the group experience.
Humble Harmony - Tuesday Night OPEN HOUSE in Nanaimo
Joyful Community Singing with Sylvia Humble in Nanaimo. With vocal play and percussion by April Laurie on Tuesday nights. Let’s harmonize, connect and have fun! All voices are welcome. Humble Harmony is part of the Ubuntu Choirs Network, which believes that singing is a universal birthright and that we can change the world by singing together.
Let your voice rise and weave with community in an experiential singing group aimed at interconnectivity and vocal harmony.
Inspiring, uplifting songs with layers and harmonies taught by ear, and room for creativity and movement. No experience necessary - this is community singing!
The first week is Drop-in / Open House, then for the remaining five weeks of the season, we will be a “members only” group, to get to know the songs and each other, and to enrich the group experience.
Parksville Humble Harmony - Thursday OPEN HOUSE
Joyful, non-performing Community Singing with Sylvia Humble in Parksville at McMillan Arts Centre. Let’s harmonize by ear, connect and have fun! All voices are welcome. Humble Harmony is part of the Ubuntu Choirs Network, which believes that singing is a universal birthright and that we can change the world by singing together.
Let your voice rise and weave with community in an experiential singing group aimed at interconnectivity and vocal harmony.
The first week is Drop-in / Open House, then for the remaining five weeks of the season, we will be a “members only” group, to get to know the songs and each other, and to enrich the group experience.
Humble Harmony - Thursday OPEN HOUSE in Parksville
Joyful, non-performing Community Singing with Sylvia Humble in Parksville at McMillan Arts Centre. Let’s harmonize by ear, connect and have fun! All voices are welcome. Humble Harmony is part of the Ubuntu Choirs Network, which believes that singing is a universal birthright and that we can change the world by singing together.
Let your voice rise and weave with community in an experiential singing group aimed at interconnectivity and vocal harmony.
The first week is Drop-in / Open House, then for the remaining five weeks of the season, we will be a “members only” group, to get to know the songs and each other, and to enrich the group experience.
Humble Harmony - Tuesday Night OPEN HOUSE in Nanaimo
Joyful Community Singing with Sylvia Humble in Nanaimo. With vocal play and percussion by April Laurie on Tuesday nights. Let’s harmonize, connect and have fun! All voices are welcome. Humble Harmony is part of the Ubuntu Choirs Network, which believes that singing is a universal birthright and that we can change the world by singing together.
Let your voice rise and weave with community in an experiential singing group aimed at interconnectivity and vocal harmony.
Inspiring, uplifting songs with layers and harmonies taught by ear, and room for creativity and movement. No experience necessary - this is community singing!
The first week is Drop-in / Open House, then for the remaining five weeks of the season, we will be a “members only” group, to get to know the songs and each other, and to enrich the group experience.
Humble Harmony - Monday OPEN HOUSE Nanaimo (Copy) (Copy)
Joyful, non-performing Community Singing with Sylvia Humble in Nanaimo. Let’s harmonize, connect and have fun! All voices are welcome. Humble Harmony is part of the Ubuntu Choirs Network, which believes that singing is a universal birthright and that we can change the world by singing together. Let your voice rise and weave with community in an experiential group singing aimed at interconnectivity and vocal harmony.
Inspiring, uplifting songs with layers and harmonies taught by ear, and room for creativity and movment. No experience necessary - this is community singing!
The first week is Drop-in / Open House, then for the remaining five weeks of the season, we will be a “members only” group, to get to know the songs and each other, and to enrich the group experience.
Humble Harmony - Monday OPEN HOUSE Nanaimo
Joyful, non-performing Community Singing with Sylvia Humble in Nanaimo. Let’s harmonize, connect and have fun! All voices are welcome. Humble Harmony is part of the Ubuntu Choirs Network, which believes that singing is a universal birthright and that we can change the world by singing together. Let your voice rise and weave with community in an experiential group singing aimed at interconnectivity and vocal harmony.
Inspiring, uplifting songs with layers and harmonies taught by ear, and room for creativity and movment. No experience necessary - this is community singing!
The first week is Drop-in / Open House, then for the remaining five weeks of the season, we will be a “members only” group, to get to know the songs and each other, and to enrich the group experience.
Humble Harmony BIG SING - Oct 25
To celebrate the end of our early fall season of Humble Harmony, we’re having a BIG SING: Saturday Oct. 25 at Oliver Woods Community Centre in North Nanaimo, from 3:30 - 5pm, followed by potluck! It's for everyone from my Nanaimo and Parksville groups to come together and sing the songs we’ve been learning- and friends / family (or anyone!) are welcome to join us. It's not a concert, it's a community sing... but listeners are welcome too. My co-conspirator April Laurie (who co-leads our Nanaimo evening group) will lead us in a playful warmup and improvised circle song! By donation - proceeds supporting Kayalitsha Youth Choir near Capetown, South Africa. Come join the community fun! No need to RSVP- just show up if you can! Please bring water to drink, and a dish to share if you’d like to stay for the potluck, as well as dishes/cutlery.
We will be in the Monarch Room on the ground floor. All voices are welcome; listeners too!
Humble Harmony - Tuesday Nights in Nanaimo
Joyful Community Singing with Sylvia Humble in Nanaimo. With vocal play and percussion by April Laurie on Tuesday nights. Let’s harmonize, connect and have fun! All voices are welcome. Humble Harmony is part of the Ubuntu Choirs Network, which believes that singing is a universal birthright and that we can change the world by singing together.
Let your voice rise and weave with community in an experiential group singing aimed at interconnectivity and vocal harmony.
Inspiring, uplifting songs with layers and harmonies taught by ear, and room for creativity and movement. No experience necessary - this is community singing!
Drop-in welcome for first two weeks, then for the remaining four weeks of the season ,we will have a “closed container” to get to know the songs and each other, and to enrich the group experience.
Humble Harmony - Mondays in Nanaimo
Joyful, non-performing Community Singing with Sylvia Humble in Nanaimo. Let’s harmonize, connect and have fun! All voices are welcome. Humble Harmony is part of the Ubuntu Choirs Network, which believes that singing is a universal birthright and that we can change the world by singing together. Let your voice rise and weave with community in an experiential group singing aimed at interconnectivity and vocal harmony.
Inspiring, uplifting songs with layers and harmonies taught by ear, and room for creativity and movment. No experience necessary - this is community singing!
Drop-in welcome for first two weeks, then for the remaining four weeks of the season, we will have a “closed container” to get to know the songs and each other, and to enrich the group experience.
Nanaimo Pop-up Song Circle - Aug. 26
Sing outdoors with Sylvia in Nanaimo’s Bowen Park on Tuesday, August 26: Let your voice rise and weave with community in an evening of experiential group singing aimed at interconnectivity and vocal harmony. With special guest April Laurie. All voices are welcome!
Joyful, uplifting songs with layers and harmonies taught by ear, and room for creativity and movement. No experience necessary - this is community singing!
Parksville Pop-up Song Circle - Aug. 23
Sing outdoors with Sylvia in Parksville’s “FOSTER PARK” on two Saturdays this August: the 9th and 23rd, from 2 - 3:30pm. Let your voice rise and weave with community in an afternoon of experiential group singing aimed at interconnectivity and vocal harmony.
Joyful, uplifting songs with layers and harmonies taught by ear, and room for creativity and movement. No experience necessary - this is community singing!
Parksville Pop-up Song Circle - Aug. 9
Sing outdoors with Sylvia in Parksville’s “FOSTER PARK” on two Saturdays this August: the 9th and 23rd, from 2 - 3:30pm. Let your voice rise and weave with community in an afternoon of experiential group singing aimed at interconnectivity and vocal harmony.
Joyful, uplifting songs with layers and harmonies taught by ear, and room for creativity and movement. No experience necessary - this is community singing!
Sing with April and Sylvia in the Park
Sing outdoors with Sylvia and April in a playful, creative, two-part community singing event in Bowen Park: a Morning Song Circle, and afternoon Meditative Singing Walk. Come to one or both, with a picnic in between. Let’s interact with nature with our voices!
Song Circle with Sarina Partridge - Community Singing Workshop
Sarina Partridge is coming to Nanaimo for an outdoor workshop, teaching her nature-inspired songs and creating an uplifting, connected community singing experience.
Humble Harmony BIG SING - Lantzville
To celebrate the end of our season of Humble Harmony, we’re having a BIG SING: outdoors at Huddlestone Park in Lantzville on Friday June 4, from 5 - 6:30, followed by potluck! It's for everyone from my Nanaimo and Parksville groups to come together and sing the songs we know - and friends / family (or anyone!) are welcome to join us. It's not a concert, it's a community sing... but listeners are welcome too. My co-conspirator April Laurie (who co-leads our Nanaimo evening group) will lead us in a playful warmup and improvised circle song! Donations appreciated. Come join the community fun! No need to RSVP- just show up if you can!
Please bring water to drink, and a dish to share if you’d like to stay for the potluck, as well as dishes/cutlery.
Limited parking is available at the park. If walking is an option, please park at the municipal lot at Lantzville School Road. No parking on Huddlestone Road as it may impede emergency vehicles.
An Evening with Coco Love Alcorn: Community Singing Workshop - NANAIMO
Coco Love Alcorn is coming to Salt Spring June 23 and Nanaimo June 24! Join us for joyful, soulful vocal workshop, to sing Coco’s soulful, heart lifting songs, learn simple harmonies, and experience the magic she creates.
An Evening with Coco Love Alcorn: Community Singing Workshop - SALTSPRING ISLAND
Coco Love Alcorn is coming to Salt Spring June 23 and Nanaimo June 24! Join us for joyful, soulful vocal workshop, to sing Coco’s soulful, heart lifting songs, learn simple harmonies, and experience the magic she creates.
Heartwood Trio: Vocal Workshop SALT SPRING - Songs From The Wild
Vocal Workshop: A two-hour immersion in embodied, joyful and connected singing with Sarina, Heidi and Willy from Heartwood Trio: original, harmony-rich songs speaking to the wild without and within. All songs taught by ear, no experience needed.All voices are welcome!
Heartwood Trio: THE WELL TREE Storytelling Musical and Vocal Workshop
I’m thrilled to present of my favourite songwriters, Sarina Partridge, who is coming to Nanaimo with her trio, Heartwood!
Join Heartwood Trio in Nanaimo for an afternoon community singing workshop, an evening storytelling musical, or BOTH!
3:00-5:00pm Vocal Workshop (in the Hall)
5:00-6:00 Potluck Supper
6:30-8:30 The Well Tree: an original storytelling musical (in the Sanctuary)
Workshop $40 / The Well Tree $30 / Combo $55 (Youth under 18: half price)
*No one turned away for lack of funds*. Get your tickets here
Heartwood is a trio of singers and instrumentalists (Sarina Partridge from Minnesota, Heidi Wilson from Vermont, and Willy Klemetson from Maine) creating new music born from time in wild places. With rich vocal harmonies and inviting lyrics, they create music in collaboration with the natural world and weave songs that invite people to join in the singing.
Vocal Workshop Immerse yourself in an experience of embodied, joyful, and connected singing with the skilled songleaders and facilitators of Heartwood. Sarina, Willy and Heidi will bring original, harmony-rich, accessible songs, speaking to the wild without and within. All songs will be taught in the oral tradition, no need to read sheet music to participate. All voices are welcome and needed!
The Well Tree Join Heartwood for an all-ages, immersive, participatory journey through song and story. The Well Tree is a three-person musical, accompanied by a ‘crankie’ - an illuminated, papercut, hand-cranked scroll. It is an original 'singing story' about wild journeying and remembering kinship -- the tale of a young woman moving beyond the fog of isolation to meet songbirds, snails and ancient trees as she travels through these unraveling times, finding her way home. The three members of Heartwood – Heidi Wilson, Willy Clemetson, and Sarina Partridge – are the actors, musicians and the crew that runs the crankie (created by papercut artist Jennifer Jones) – and the audience will be invited in to help sing pieces of the story.
The afternoon workshop will be in the church hall (entrance on Wesley St.)
The evening musical will be in the sanctuary, the prize venue of Nanaimo's singing culture, with its marvellous acoustics!
Coming to both? Bring a dish to share and join us for a potluck from 5-6pm.
Heartwood will also be in Comox on May 25, Saltspring on May 27/28, Duncan on May 29/30 and Victoria on May 31. Learn more at www.heartwoodtrio.com
Tickets are available now on Eventbrite, or you can pay cash at the door. Walk-ins are welcome.
No-one turned away for lack of funds. If cost is a barrier, please email Sylvia: sylvia@sylviahumble.ca
Please check out the Eventbrite page for videos and details.
Humble Harmony - Thursday afternoons, Parksville
Humble Harmony - Free your voice and sing in harmony by ear, in a joyful, inclusive song circle that is part community choir, part campfire circle.
It’s all about joy and connection, rather than performance or perfection. We are a diverse range of voices from beginners to experienced harmonizers - every voice belongs.
Humble Harmony - Monday afternoons, Nanaimo
Humble Harmony - Free your voice and sing in harmony by ear, in a joyful, inclusive group that is part community choir, part campfire song circle.
It’s all about joy and connection, rather than performance or perfection. We are a diverse range of voices from beginners to experienced harmonizers - every voice belongs.
Humble Harmony - Monday nights at Kin Hut, Nanaimo
Humble Harmony - Free your voice and sing in harmony by ear, in a joyful, inclusive group / song circle.
It’s all about joy and connection, rather than performance or perfection. We are a diverse range of voices from beginners to experienced harmonizers - every voice belongs.
Forest Songs - Meditative Singing Walk with April Laurie
I’m excited to present April Laurie in this playful, creative community event! Join us and interact with nature with our voices! Link coming soon…
Earth Day Community Sing at SEEDS neighbourhood
April Laurie and I will be leading a community sing for our friends’ Earth Day celebration, 3:30pm at the north end of Columbia Street in South Nanaimo - and they asked us to invite our singing communities! Check out their website for the full day schedule including work party, potluck, community sing, and live world music in the evening.
BIG SPRING SING - Lantzville
Join us for the season-end gathering of our Sing Again community choir circle, where folks from my Nanaimo and Parksville groups will join together to sing the songs we’ve been learning so far this year. A couple of pop songs (Here Comes The Sun, Seven Bridges Road) and some uplifting songs from the community singing movement that are short and easy to learn (Coco Love Alcorn, Ma Muse, Lea Morris, Sarina Partridge). This is not a concert, this is community singing - all are welcome to sing with us! Listeners are welcome too.
Song Circle: 1:30 - 3pm
Tea / Snack Potluck: 3 - 4pm
Special guest April Laurie will lead us in a vocal-play warmup, and join us on percussion while we sing the songs.
Stay for ginger tea and bring a finger-food snack to share in the potluck afterwards if you’d like!
Whether you do or do not consider yourself a singer, sharing the joy of singing is our human birthright. It's about connection, not perfection.
Suggested donation: $15 - no one turned away for lack of funds.
RSVP on Eventbrite - or just show up!
The Singing Soul - Improvisational A Capella with David Hatfield
The Singing Soul - Improvisational A Capella with David Hatfield
A Swingin' Swayin' Funk Bump Afro Gospel Sacred Soulful Blues Chant Jam Feelin' Hi Mash-up!!
Community Christmas Sing-along with Sylvia and Friends
Do you miss the joy of singing Christmas carols with friends and family? Join local song leader and ukulelist Sylvia Humble and pianist Chrissandra Unger in this third annual Christmas sing-along event at the beautiful McMillan Arts Center. We’ll sing Christmas favorites from traditional carols to pop classics, and lyrics will be projected up on the big screen. Also featuring special guest pianist and vocalist James Pham, whose version of “White Christmas” is out of this world!
ALL VOICES WELCOME.
Tickets are $20, available via the MAC Box Office 250-248-8185 www.mcmillanartscentre.com
Or in person at: 133 McMillan Street, Upper Level, Parksville
You can also check out Sylvia’s Christmas playlist recorded at The MAC: www.youtube.com/@sylviahumblemusic
Sylvia is also available to lead custom sing-alongs at private parties and corporate events. Add joy and connection to your Christmas gathering and invite your friends and family, or colleagues, to sing together! To enquire, please email sylvia@sylviahumble.ca
Songs of Peace - Community Sing & Potluck
Join the circle as we sing songs of peace, in harmony. Potluck following. All voices are welcome.
Songs of Hope - Nanaimo Community Sing
Join the circle as we sing songs of hope, in harmony. All voices are welcome.
Cookies & Carols - City of Parksville
I’m delighted that the City of Parksville has invited me to lead a carol sing at their annual free event, “Cookies, Carols & More”! We’ll sing a few traditional carols as well as lots of Christmas pop classics. Drop by, gather round and let’s fill that big hall with the joyful sound of voices singing in imperfect harmony!
I’ll be singing from 3:30 - 4:30, after the “Easy Street Duo”. Lyrics are provided.
Cookies and Carols, City of Parksville free event at the Jensen Centre (formerly Parksville Community Centre)
Songs of Peace & Unity - Parksville Community Sing & Potluck
Join the circle as we sing songs of peace, in harmony ,followed by a potluck / social. All voices are welcome.
Holiday Tree Light-Up with Songs and Santa
Join me from 5:30 to 6 pm in Memorial Plaza to sing some Christmas favourites, and raise some community spirit! I’ll bring the lyrics. Sponsored by Parksville Downtown Business Association.
