CHOIR HOPPING – How My Pop Choir makes sure that you’ll never miss a beat!

Does it make you think of leapfrogging or hopscotch?  Could it be a new Olympic sport? In reality, choir hopping is one more unique opportunity that MPC offers to all its members.

You can hop to any other choir occasionally for two reasons: making up for a missed session at your primary choir location, or attending additional session(s) for extra practice.

“For me, it’s almost essential,” says Judy Webb, whose home choir is Oakville Daytime.

“Once a month I have another regular activity that conflicts, so I can just switch to another choir at a different time.”

Judy points out other reasons singers might choose to choir hop. “Lots of people go back and forth to their cottage, or have medical appointments or they belong to different clubs. “There are times if I couldn’t hop, I’d miss sessions, which would be quite discouraging for me.”

The prize for longest distance choir hop (so far!) goes to Marion Graham, whose home choir is Toronto West. “I went to Vancouver in 2025 and visited the Shaughnessy choir. Directors Kent and Beau were both there and it was lovely. Everyone was very welcoming. I felt like I was home!”

Marion’s time with these two directors highlights another benefit of choir hopping: experiencing different directing styles. “They are all unique and amazing,” she says. “Even their warm-ups are different.”

Mark Blevis has taken full advantage of this aspect of MPC, as work commitments often mean that he cannot attend his home choir, which this year is Burlington Evening. 

“I’ve been able to experience Iain and Jenn and Aryana – it was an eye-opening experience. You can find the vibe you like, which one captures your imagination.”

Mark finds the flexibility that MPC offers with choir hopping to be unique. “Being able to keep up and catch up – no other choir has that option.”

Jill Nelson, who began with Burlington but now sings with Hamilton, says that choir hopping can even help you find a way around our Canadian winters.  “If snowy weather is predicted, it’s great to know that I can go to Burlington Daytime and not worry about the driving at night,” she says. “It’s so nice to have options and know you’re not locked into one evening.”

If anyone is reluctant to hop, because they might not know people in a different choir, Judy Webb is reassuring: “I’ve found that people are great and very welcoming, which of course is consistent with the choir overall.”  

People are important to Marion Graham as well, as she began with Etobicoke and now goes to Toronto West because it’s closer to home. “Hopping lets me stay in touch [with Etobicoke]. I can see old friends and I like to catch up,” she says.  

Kristine Fitzpatrick, longtime MPC member and now manager for four different choirs, agrees that hopping is “a great way to meet and get to know people in the other choirs.”

As a manager she notes that “all the managers are really good about communicating with each other when members want to attend their choirs.” 

It’s important for accurate attendance tracking that members email their regular choir manager to let them know where and when they intend to hop. As our choirs grow, and are often at capacity, something as basic as having enough chairs set up is made easier when the choir managers know how many to expect.

And don’t forget the one exception that lets you hop without even leaving home or letting anyone know! Choir Genius lets you visit the weekly virtual sessions in British Columbia whenever you wish.

Judy Webb is convinced that My Pop Choir’s hopping option is a factor when people are deciding to join. “I would be asking myself if I could make it every week, given my schedule. So I am very thankful that there is that flexibility that MPC provides.”

A FINAL NOTE TO HOPPERS

Choir hopping is a complimentary added benefit for registered My Pop Choir members. Have fun with it, but remember its purposes are the following:

• Making up for a missed session at your primary choir location, or

• Attending additional session(s) for extra practice.
  

    And please let your choir manager know when and where your hop will take you!