Humble Harmony*
Free your voice and harmonize in an inclusive, joyful community song circle!
*formerly called “Sing Again community choir”
The Community
We are a diverse group, from “beginners” just getting comfortable letting their voice be heard, to singers with decades of experience, who enjoy an informal group where they can break free from the written notes, and improvise with harmony.
This is a non-judgemental, safe and supportive space where all voices are welcome regardless of age or experience. Stronger voices support less confident ones, and the harmonies we create (whether following specific parts or letting harmonies happen organically) are imperfect and thrilling!
Sylvia is a proud member of the Ubuntu Choir Network, which shares the core belief that singing together is a human birthright, and can change the world for the better.
Humble Harmony is a cross between a non-performing community choir and a casual song circle; all voices are welcome and membership is optional (drop-ins welcome).
Come join the circle, and enjoy a cup of ginger tea during the break!
Are you unsatisfied with singing alone in the car?
Do you miss singing in community (but not a formal choir)?
Would you rather learn to follow your ear than read music?
Share The Magic of Community Singing
Free your voice and creative expression in a fun and informal, non-performing group
Sing inspiring, uplifting and healing songs, world music, sea shanties, and songs of peace and hope.
Learn to harmonize by ear, and “wing it”. No experience necessary
Explore your range, move around the room and try different parts
Enjoy vocal play, songs with actions, and simple body percussion
Nanaimo - Two Options:
MONDAY AFTERNOONS: 2 - 3:30pm at St. Andrews United Church, 315 Fitzwilliam St. (in the hall, Wesley Street entrance)
MONDAY EVENINGS: 7:00 - 8:30pm at Kin Hut, 2730 Departure Bay Road). What beautiful acoustics!
Parksville:
THURSDAYS: 3:30 - 5pm, McMillan Arts Centre, 133 McMillan Street, upper level (kitty corner to the SOS). The art gallery is ever-changing and the acoustics are divine!
Humble Harmony Spring 2025: Love and Water Songs
April 28: Monday Evening “Open Sing” at Kin Hut
You’re invited to our first ever song circle at Kin Hut, our new acoustically brilliant venue, right on the water in Departure Bay (we are switching from Tuesday nights to Mondays):
Kin Hut, 2730 Departure Bay Road, Monday April 28, 7 - 8:30pm (by donation). Bring a mug for ginger tea!
May 4 - June 19* (six weeks)
(Note: There is a break on the week of May 26 for a special event)
90-minute singing sessions with a 15-minute break for ginger tea!
Register to stay in the loop:
If you’d like to join us and receive a weekly email with song recordings, please fill out this form (whether you are dropping in or becoming a member):
*DISCLAIMER: By paying, you acknowledge that some sessions will be recorded on video, and occasional clips will be shared on social media to share the joy of singing, and for marketing purposes. If you’re not comfortable with this, you can request to stay off camera.
Refund policy for membership: If, after joining, you decide it’s not for you, you will be refunded the fee paid, minus $20 per session attended. Missed sessions are not refunded; it is a seasonal membership and most people miss a session or two.
Questions? Please email me at sylvia@sylviahumble.ca
What makes our group different?
Humble Harmony is unlike a choir; it’s informal and we don’t follow sheet music. You’ll never be pigeon-holed into an assigned part - you can explore your range, and try different parts for different songs. We often sing without lyrics sheets, make eye contact and move around the room. It’s about community, and the joy and connection of singing in harmony, as well as creative self expression.
Over time, we get to know a set of songs and create some great-sounding harmonies, hone our listening and harmonizing skills, and gel as a group. We’ll also get to know each other and where our voices fit in the group. The experience of singing together gets sweeter the more we connect in song and community spirit!
Instead of sheet music, we learn by ear during the sessions, and I’ll provide song recordings including separate tracks for the melody and harmony parts, to help you learn to sing in harmony by ear (or even just learn the melody).
We generally don’t perform, but instead gather for a “Big Sing” at the end of our season, and invite the community to join us in song.
Humble Harmony isn’t about perfection; it’s about being ourselves, being willing to make mistakes, laughing, and growing in confidence and self-expression!
Video from my Nanaimo Evening group, with April Laurie, vocal improviser and percussionist who leads us in a fun warmup!
Singing in harmony at the McMillan Arts Centre, Parksville
Song List (Spring 2025) so far:
(In 3- or 4-part harmony)
Heart Wide Open - Lea Morris
Let It Flow Free - Sarina Partridge
Prayers For Freedom - Ma Muse
Red-Winged Blackbird - David Francey
The Parting Glass - Trad. Scottish
The River - Coco Love Alcorn
Wade In The Water - African-American spiritual
Water Is Life (Mni Wiconi) - Sara Thomsen
We’ve Got All The Love - Helen Yeomans
…and many fun and easy songs in between, like these:
Humble Harmony is a community where every voice has a place, and you can be yourself and enjoy singing with others who share the love of singing, without worrying about getting the notes exactly right… and maybe take some risks and get creative! This is what I call community!
An example of a harmony tutorial video, a learning resource:
Cost*:
Your first time trying out Humble Harmony is free!
$20 to drop in, or $96 for the 6-week series (become a member)
*If this cost is prohibitive, please email me; bursaries and energy exchanges (trades) can sometimes be arranged.
DROP-INS WELCOME ~ MEMBERSHIP OPTIONAL
Check out my YouTube channel for more harmony videos and tutorials, community singalong moments, and my originals.
Check out my local community singing events (singalongs, workshops with songwriters like Sarina Partridge, Coco Love Alcorn)
Join my mailing list for occasional newsletter updates, and follow me on this exciting journey of songwriting and songleading!
Or, join my Facebook group, Sing with Sylvia and friends, for community events, and musical inspirations.
Satisfied Singers:
“I am amazed...I felt like I freed up part of myself that had been blocked all my life. I am so happy to have found a voice inside me and let it come out more. Sylvia made me feel like it is ok to sing; in fact it is important. She gave me confidence…”
— Denise, Nanoose Bay, BC
“I missed singing with others so much after two kids and a pandemic scuppered my time as a chorister. Sylvia created a super friendly and warm atmosphere for us all to reconnect with the joy of singing together. She made us feel supported and safe. We had fun together and it was a beautiful experience! I highly encourage anyone else with rusty pipes and a love for harmony to spend some time in the singing community being built by the talented Sylvia at Sing Again.”
— Katie, Nanoose Bay, BC
Laurel, Nanoose Bay, BC
Rob, Nanoose Bay, BC
Andrea, Qualicum Beach, BC
Kieran, Nanaimo, BC
Shirley, Nanoose Bay, BC
Sean, Parksville, BC
Jenny, Parksville, BC
Andrea, Nanaimo, BC
Dave, Parksville, BC
Merrien, Nanoose Bay, BC
Marianne, Nanaimo, BC