“It may be the music that brings us together,” says Brittany Mielnichuk, Artistic Director of
Rainbow Harmony Project (RHP), “but what we’re really all about is community.”
RHP is a choir of LGBT2SQ* members and allies that celebrates diversity, relationships,
acceptance, and community through the power of song. What makes RHP unique is that it is a non-audition choir. To join you don’t have to be a trained musician, the group is comprised of people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels.
“I love working with people in this choir. They have varying degrees of experience with singing and choirs,” says Mielnichuk. “I get to work with them from the ground up. Not only am I helping the group to become a choir, but I’m helping these people find their voices.”
This year, RHP will be celebrating their own Platinum Pride: 20 years of being a community-
driven choir. Mielnichuk, who has been with the group for two years and artistic director for a year, has been working closely with past directors and veteran members of RHP to compile a program for this very special event.
“We’ve been going through old programs, sorting through old sheet music, finding the perfect pieces for this event,” says Mielnichuk, who came to realize this concert was also an
opportunity to do something even bigger for the LGBT2SQ* community.
“As I went through the repertoire, I realized there weren’t many new Canadian LGBT2SQ*
anthems, in fact, most anthems were written by American composers in the early 2000s. We
decided to hold a competition for an LGBT2SQ* anthem by a Canadian composer.” The work by the grand prize winner will be performed the night of the concert and RHP will actually record their work and perform it at festivals later in the year.
Mielnichuk encourages everyone interested in joining RHP to check out their website for details about intakes and terms. “We take everyone. It doesn’t matter if you know how to sing or not, we’ll get you into shape.” She adds, “If you’re looking for a choir that is about building a community, RHP is the choir for you.”
Come join RHP as they celebrate their Platinum Pride: 20 years of acceptance, community, and voice. The concert will be a reunion of choir alumni, past directors, and special guests. The event is Saturday May 25th , at Crescent Fort Rouge United Church, 525 Wardlaw Ave.,
Winnipeg, at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at McNally Robinson Booksellers, The Happy Cooker, or at www.rainbowharmonyproject.ca/tickets/platinum-pride-concert. Be sure to join the choir afterward for a special event at Buccacino’s on Osborne Street, see online for details.