Univox choir returns June 20
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Stephen Scholtz still qualifies as a 'young adult singer' on the Toronto mixed-voice community choir Univox.
But at age 37, he's older than some.
"Some of our members are in their late 30s – we range from early 20s to late 30s," said Scholtz, who first started singing back in Tillsonburg with his mother Betty's community youth choir.
"Actually, we are definitely pushing the limit of a young adult choir," he laughed, noting Univox has talked about changing or removing the 'young' element from the choir definition to just 'adult.'
"Maybe in a few years they'll splinter off into other groups. It's actually something we've already started to do this year. In Toronto there are a lot of different choirs, but there are also a lot of people who want to sing in them. We actually have a waiting list of women who want to join a choir, and the list has grown to such a size that the Univox board decided to start a women's only choir to try to satisfy the demand. So in the fall we'll have two choirs under the Univox banner – our own mixed voice choir and an all-women's choir."
Univox, which last performed in this area in 2012 with concerts in Tillsonburg and London, will be returning to Tillsonburg on Friday, June 20 for a concert at St. Paul's United Church, and in Aylmer.
"Two years ago they were looking for ideas and suggestions where to go," said Scholtz, who along with Univox singer Michelle Dyck, grew up in the Tillsonburg area.
"I sang in my mom's choir for like a dozen years, had some roots here and some connections," said Scholtz. "I suggested it to the board and we came here."
The June 2012 concert was a truly great performance, he said, and the choir was eager to return to the area in 2014.
"It's a great venue – St. Paul's United. We had a warm reception from the town and the audience, and everyone had a good time. Everyone really enjoyed the town."
While in Tillsonburg, he expects to reconnect with some old friends.
"Most of the people I knew from school, or through church and the community theatre, after graduation it seemed like we all went to different ends of the universe. Some are still sort of close by in London and Woodstock, so I'm hoping a few might come back to see the show."
In 2013 Univox did a big tour to Montreal, and they have an even larger tour planned in 2015 to Cuba.
2014 UNIVOX CONCERT IN TILLSONBURG
St. Paul’s United Church, at the corner of Bidwell and Ridout Streets, is hosting a special pop music concert by Univox, a mixed-voice community choir from Toronto for young adults with relationship building, social responsibility and musical excellence at its core.
Univox last performed in Tillsonburg at St. Paul’s in 2012.
The 2014 concert will be on Friday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the St. Paul’s sanctuary, in support of the Betty Scholtz Memorial Scholarship and the Community Kitchen of St. Paul’s Church, which provides a weekly hot meal from October through April to those in need in Tillsonburg.
Michelle Dyck and Stephen Scholtz, Betty’s son, are both members of Univox who grew up in Tillsonburg. Betty was a much loved and respected choir leader and member of the Tillsonburg community.
Currently in its ninth season, Univox singers come from a diverse range of musical backgrounds. Most have sung in choirs at different times during their education. Univox aims to fill the niche for young adults who wish to continue to have a rewarding choral experience with others in their age group. The choir's season runs September to June.
Performed works are primarily a cappella, and span a wide range of the choral spectrum. The repertoire comes from a wide variety of styles and languages including music from the Renaissance, choral classics, contemporary music, spirituals, international folk songs, and pop music.
The name Univox has Latin origins and means “one voice.” Music is a universal language which spans all classes, cultures and faiths. Univox celebrates diversity and the cultural mosaic of our community. Although music provides a deeply spiritual experience, it is not isolated to any one faith and encompasses all of humanity.
"We praise music with one voice, united in the spirit of truth, beauty and goodness. We use our voice as a vehicle for the improvement of the quality of life for ourselves and those around us, touching and opening the hearts of our listeners and overcoming the obstacles that separate us."
Tickets are only $15/person, and can be purchased either from the St. Paul’s United Church Office (519-688-0011) or online through the Univox Choir website using Paypal at univoxchoir.org/tickets/
"The repertoire will be diverse and features some of Univox' greatest hits from the past few seasons as well as new material," said Tara Shuster, president of Univox Choir Toronto. "It's going to be a great show with a little something for everyone!"