In the SpotlIght Prairie Gold Chorus: 30 Years of Harmony
by Jessica Reimer
It is no coincidence that Regina-based Prairie Gold Chorus’ 30th anniversary event this June – “Thank You for the Music: 30 Years of Harmony” – is inspired by the infamous ABBA song of the same name.
tune. From traditional Barbershop to Josh Groban, these Saskatchewan women have decades of experience refining their vocal versatility, all the while paying homage to a diverse and enduring genre of music.
ABBA’s music is laden with upbeat melodies, punchy lyrics and, above all, fun. Fun is one of the basic tenets of Prairie Gold’s female-only, unaccompanied Barbershop group. The other tenet is friendship.
The name Prairie Gold embodies the spirit of Saskatchewan, with its sprawling landscape and golden wheat fields. That’s not all, though. Lindenbach also spoke to the group’s unwavering support for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. While the parallel between a football team and a Barbershop chorus may not be obvious, it became clear in speaking with a few of the chorus members that they all adopt the same team mentality you would expect to find among athletes.
“We stand by our motto of ‘come for the music, stay for the fun,’” said Jane Pearce, a Prairie Golden Girl for over ten years, She is one of approximately 25 women currently in the group. When asked how the Barbershop genre fits into the mosaic of modern music, director and songstress Denise Lindenbach responded without hesitation. “If a song has a memorable melody, it can be written for Barbershop!” She laughed, recounting an experience at a recent workshop when a fellow chorus surprised the group with a Barbershop rendition of a popular Lady Gaga 16 |
FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 2 ISSUE 4, APRIL 2013
“I’ve met a lot of great friends along the way,” said Helen Olinik, an original member whose involvement with Prairie Gold extends all the way back to its inception in 1981. “We work together to make a better product, … and it’s a great feeling to have something in common with people around the world. [Prairie