• Ask for a raise when you feel you've earned it.
    Return all things you borrow.
    Never refuse homemade brownies.
    Stop blaming others.
    Have a dog.
    Watch a sunrise at least once a year.
    Keep secrets.
    Say "please" a lot.
    Remember other people's birthdays.
    Wear polished shoes.
    Sing in the shower.
    Never underestimate the power of love.
    Feed a stranger's expired parking meter.
    Don't expect life to be fair.
    Call your mother.
    Don't be afraid to say "I made a mistake."
    Keep your promises (no matter what).
    Be forgiving of yourself and others.
    Learn three clean jokes.
    Plant a tree on your birthday.
    Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
    Buy whatever kids are selling on card tables in their front yards.
    Dance like no-one is watching. Sing like no-one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt.
    Plant flowers every spring.
    Take responsibility for every area of your life.
    Wave at kids on school buses.
    Leave the toilet seat in the down position.
    Keep it simple.
    Drink champagne for no reason at all.
    Be the first to say hello.
    Have a firm handshake.
    Carry jumper cables in your trunk.
    Compliment three people everyday.
    Count your blessings.
    Leave everything a little better than you found it.
    Look people in the eye.
    Always accept an outstretched hand.
    Sing in a choir.
    Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.
    Rekindle old friendships.
    Floss your teeth.
    Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures.
    Marry only for love.
    Send lots of Valentines Day cards and sign them "Someone who thinks you're terrific."
    Avoid negative people.
    Compliment even small improvements.
    be there when people need you.
    Make new friends but cherish the old ones.
    Commit yourself to constant improvement.
    Strive for excellence, not for perfection.
    Over tip breakfast waitresses.
    Return borrowed vehicles with the gas tank filled.
    Don't be afraid to say "I don't know."
    Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.
    Use the good silver.
    Say "thank-you" a lot.
    Live your life as an exclamation, not an explanation.

FAQ

What’s “FAQ”? It’s short for “Frequently Asked Questions”! Click the questions below to see the answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do you meet?

We presently practise in the Gathering Place at Leigh Square: 2253 Leigh Square, Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 3B8.

When do you practise?

We practise on Monday afternoons from 2:00 until 4:00. We don’t meet on statutory holidays. Check our Calendar for rehearsal times.

What kinds of music do you sing?

We sing many different kinds of music: folk songs, folk rock, country, regional favourites, upbeat songs, pub songs, ballads and much more. Our Christmas repertoire features many favourite carols and seasonal songs – and several you may have never heard before. We sing everything from Irving Berlin to Gordon Lightfoot, show tunes from Broadway to London’s West End.

When do you perform?

We perform roughly twice a month at various care homes. We also sing for some community events and we have a year-end concert at the beginning of June. Check the right side of the page for upcoming performances, or look at our Calendar.

How much does it cost?

You need to be a member of the Wilson Centre, which is the seniors’ centre of the City of Port Coquitlam. Choir membership is an additional $22.00 annually, payable by the end of October.

You’ll be given one set of printed music for the current season’s repertoire. We ask that you take responsibility for it. We charge a small fee for replacing lost or forgotten music to cover printing costs.

You’ll also have access to the Music Collection on this website, where you can download printable copies of our music.

How well do I have to sing?

It would be nice if you could carry a tune and sing comfortably as part of a group. We’re not a professional choir. Our mandate is to have fun making music and sharing that enjoyment with others.

Is there an audition?

Good heavens, no! Drop in to a rehearsal and see if you like us!

Do I have to read music, sing harmony, sing a solo or do anything else scary?

Most of us don’t read music. If you can, that’s wonderful.

We do some simple harmony work but most of our songs are sung in unison.

Nobody sings solos. If you’re looking for a place to showcase your soloist skills, you might not find us a good fit!

Scary stuff? Hardly. We perform at various seniors’ care homes and do a couple of concerts at community events but if it’s stage fright you’re worried about, set your mind at ease. You’ll have 20 to 30 other choir members singing right along with you!

Am I expected to perform?

Your involvement in Silver Chord is always optional but always encouraged. The more people that participate in a performance, the more fun it is for the choir and the audience. Please join us at our performances whenever you can.

What commitment am I looking at?

We’re a recreational choir and we get together once a week to make music and have fun doing it. Come as often as you can.

We’re also an entertaining choir, meaning we perform in various venues such as care homes and community events. To perform well, we need enough people who know their music.

We will ask that you come to practices regularly so you can learn your music (even if you can’t memorise it and get “off paper”).

Is there a uniform?

When we go to performances, we have a formal (dressy) uniform. We also have a more casual look for some venues.

Our dressy look:

  • gentlemen: black pants, white shirt, black shoes (we supply your bow tie);
  • ladies: long black skirt or pants, black top, black shoes, pearl necklace (we may be able to lend you one)
 
 
 

Our casual look:

  • a Silver Chord Choir golf shirt (supplied by the choir) and black pants or skirt 
 
 
 
 
 

Our Christmas look:

  • as Christmassy and festive as you like. Christmas sweaters, antlers, Christmas hats – you get the idea!
I don’t drive. Can I still participate?

Of course! The Gathering Place, where we practise, is well served by transit. When we go to performances, we arrange carpools from the Gathering Place for those who need them.

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