Local opera singer works with Kincardine Community Singers

The Kincardine Community Singers are in rehearsals for their Christmas concert, slated for Dec. 9-10, at Knox Presbyterian Church, Kincardine.

One song in the repertoire is “Sanctus,” a Latin piece that is tricky to speak, let alone sing.

For that reason, the choir welcomed opera singer Matt Chittick of Walkerton to be the guest instructor Wednesday night, during practice.

Chittick is familiar with Kincardine, having performed in “Messiah,” as the tenor soloist, last December; and as an instructor and performer at the Kincardine Summer Musical Festival in August.

Originally from Ottawa, he is a professional opera and musical theatre singer, as well as a voice actor. Praised as having a “clear and vibrant” tenor, he has performed on stages throughout the world and has lent his voice to many audio-books, commercials and voice-overs of all sorts. He is passionate about bringing art to life, whether on the stage or off the page.

Working with the Kincardine Community Singers, he was engaging and funny, offering tips for singing in Latin, as well as a few bad puns and jokes. He also encouraged the choir members to sing in phrases throughout the piece of music.

Chittick began the evening with some great warm-up exercises and breathing techniques and worked with the choir through almost two hours of practice.

“It’s great to come back to Kincardine and work with the community singers,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun!”

Choir director Patt Lowry said it was a very worthwhile time for the choir and for her.

“I didn’t know much about him but those who went to his vocal class at the summer music festival were raving about him,” she said. “I was happy that he agreed to work on ‘Sanctus’ with us.”

Throughout his career, Chittick has performed with such companies as Calgary Opera, Portland Opera, Theatre Calgary, the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Operetta Theatre, Opera in Concert, Opera Kelowna, Cowtown Opera, Opera Mariposa, and many others.

For more information, visit www.mattchittick.com.