BONNYVILLE - On June 7 the Bonnyville Tuneagers choir, directed by Sharon Sharun, wrapped up Seniors’ Week festivities with a performance at the Seniors' Drop-in Centre.
They performed Abba’s Thank You for the Music, which Sharun says is a song she feels akin to, having grown up with music being a big influence in her life.
Sharun moved to Bonnyville when she was about seven years old. She started playing in a band around the age of 12, and also sang in the Bonnyville Centralized High School choir.
Sharun later graduated from university with a teaching degree.
“I started teaching, and one of the elementary school teachers encouraged me to direct choir – she played the piano – and that’s how I got started.”
Sharun explains that she started singing with the Bonnyville Society Singers, founded by Lil Bodnar.
“I started singing with them, then after about two years Lil Bodnar asked me to direct because the director had moved away. The first time she asked, I didn't have the confidence, but the second time I said sure, and I directed the Bonnyville Society Singers probably for close to 20 years.”
She adds, “I often say that I went to the musical school of Lil Bodnar. She was very kind and patient – I could read music because I played the flute in band... but directing choir was a lot different, and she really helped me along.”
Sharun recalls the glory days of directing the Bonnyville Society Singers and how much fun she had – how they would dress up, have solos, duets, and perform to a sold-out Lyle Victor Albert Theatre.
“There were some magical years for sure. We would put on shows that would go for five or six nights. We would fill the Lyle Victor Albert Centre. Our choir grew, we got quite large, and we had different themes each year. One year we did Broadway, or we’d do the deep south, or a travelling idea where we had music from different countries.”
When Sharun started her family, she had to step away from the big shows, but she kept doing Christmas and Remembrance Day. Eventually, it was time for her to step back from the Bonnyville Society Singers.
A few years earlier, Bodnar had also left the Bonnyville Society Singers, and started another choir group called the Tuneagers.
“She phoned and said ‘I have an offer for you that you can’t refuse. Come and direct the Tuneagers.’ and I said, well I can’t refuse, and I’ve been directing the Tuneagers, I think it’s been 10 years now,” says Sharun.
She calls the Tuneagers her musical family and recalls even the difficult days of working full-time, raising a family, and having to attend choir practice, but says “I always leave uplifted, I always leave choir practice feeling better – I truly do.”
Sharun is a big advocate for the positive mental and physical effects of music and singing. She has studied the way it reduces stress, improves mood, and promotes the idea of focusing on the present moment.
Paired with the social benefits of singing together, Sharun states, “It’s that joyful synergy. You’re coming together as a group and there is such a feeling of accomplishment and, you know the saying goes ‘let's make beautiful music together’ it is very true... there's nothing like it.”
Sharun explains that seniors benefit from the cognitive challenges choir singing brings, and that she often picks pieces she knows will be more challenging because of the positive effects it has on the brain.
The choir caters to seniors but is open for anyone to join.
“The inclusivity of choir is a great portion of that mental health aspect and social benefit. I really try to encourage people. Come and try it. If it’s not for you, it’s not for you, and that’s OK but come and try it. We sing on Mondays for an hour.”
The choir has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and the commitments are manageable as they do small performances.
Sharun reports the positive feedback she’s received from members. “There's something extra special about the adult choirs that I’ve directed through the years and that ability to come together, and to create four-part harmony. I watch the choir sometimes and you can even see them going ‘wow’.”
To those interested but are concerned they are not good enough singers, Sharun ensures people they are welcome
“I think it’s unfortunate - we used to sing a lot more. Children used to sing a lot more. I feel like we’ve come to this idea... where you have to be really wonderful to sing, almost professional... I’ve had choir members ask, ‘Am I good enough?’ and I've always said ‘Of course you're good enough. Of course you can be here. It’s good for you to be here’.”
