“There are two things every choir practice needs from the first warm-up to the last song:
learning and laughter … these make the harmonies even sweeter … ” – Abby Zotz, Director and Founder
Created in the fall of 2021, AbZolutely Choirs welcome women of all ages, walks of life and levels of experience. A vibrant and affirming community, they meet for weekly practices (find the one closest to you here) and perform in their communities and sometimes across choirs at special events. “As a new group, we are building our repertoire, strengthening our vocal chops and enjoying a great night out and some ‘solid me-time,’ as one member puts it … not to mention all the health benefits that singing in community offer,” says Abby.
All AbZolutely Choirs are scent-free and will run two 20-week sessions, starting in the fall of 2022. Covid 19 safety protocols and member guidelines are HERE
Repertoire
We love variety and our arrangements are fresh and easy to follow. Women learn by downloading tracks and lyric sheets from our member site. Sheet music is available for a few of the arrangements but our focus is on learning by rote – a great way to develop ears, vocal technique and memory while keeping the complication of note reading to a minimum. We also work with soundscapes, improvisational music-making and live accompaniment, where members and professional musicians are invited to play along to chords on some songs.
Examples of our rep so far:
Sara Bareilles –Brave (pop)
Leon Dubinsky (recorded by The Rankin Family – We Rise Again (Celtic pop)
Bellamy Brothers – Let Your Love Flow (country pop)
Coldplay – Fix You (pop)
Lee Ann Womack- I Hope You Dance (country)
Joy Oladokun – Look Up (pop)
The Proclaimers – 500 Miles (Celtic folk rock)
Coming this fall: Music from The Once (Celtic pop), Gordon Lightfoot (folk), Lumineers (indie pop) and Brown and Homer (jazz).
Interested in purchasing one of Abby’s arrangements? Send her an email requesting more info at abbyzotz@abzolutelychoir.ca
Abby Zotz – Director and Founder, AbZolutely Choir
After years of performing, arranging and directing for small and larger music ensembles and theatre groups, director and founder Abby Zotz was looking for a new way to bring women together in song that deepened their sense of confidence through an effortless mix of teaching, community building and fresh, modern arrangements. An award-winning singer, songwriter and arts educator, Abby has a genuine passion for sharing the joy of making music in a safe and infectiously fun environment. Her 40 year performing career includes her own projects like her current Abby Zotz and the Local Honey Band (https://abbyzmusic.com), as well The MadriGALS renaissance trio, Strings Attached period music ensemble, Waterwood Theatre Projects, and folk duo Two Roads Home. Coupled with her teaching experience, which includes work with The Royal Conservatory’s Music Champions and Learning Through the Arts programs, KickStart Arts, school boards and community programs across Ontario, Abby’s worlds unite perfectly in AbZolutely Choir. http://www.abbyzotz.com