Choir Biography

History
In the Fall of 1999, twenty women came together to form the female vocal ensemble Les Ms. Established under the direction of Dr. Valerie Long, these women were united by a common passion and enthusiasm for performing quality choral music and the camaraderie associated with sharing this challenge with other women. Now, almost a decade later, this twenty-eight voice ensemble continues to be recognized for its high quality choral music and spirited performances.

Sing for Care
As a not-for profit community based choir, Les Ms. enjoys performing with other local choral groups and musicians, particularly for events benefiting the community. This has led the ensemble to spearhead the development of an annual event entitled Les Ms. And Friends Sing for Care, a benefit concert to raise money to support the Patient and Family Support Fund of the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre in St. John's. To date, the event has raised over $40,000 to support cancer care in our province. Sing for Care provides an important opportunity to highlight and celebrate some of Newfoundland and Labrador's finest choral groups and individuals as they share in this choral collaboration and the spirit of good will.

Community
As part of its ongoing commitment to the community, Les Ms. regularly participates in local community fundraising events. In recent months, the choir has shared the stage with the Cantare Youth Choir in Carbonear, participated in Singers Helping Singers, a national youth choir sponsorship concert in St. John's, performed in a gala concert in support of St. Luke's Home and provided the musical entertainment for Star for a Night with Jane Powell and Dick Moore, a fundraiser for the Newfoundland and Labrador Health and Community Services Archive and Museum.

On May 24, 2009 Les Ms. & Friends will Sing for Care in Clarenville. This is the first time a Sing for Care will happen off the Avalon Peninsula. In an endeavor to raise much needed funds for the Patient & Family Support Fund of the Dr. H Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Centre, Les Ms. will travel outside the St. John's area to bring Sing for Care to the communities and people who avail of the support fund.

Events and Performances
Les Ms. has participated in several local musical festivals and productions including Evita and Our Divas Do Broadway and was selected to perform in the 2003, 2005 and 2007 Festival 500 International Choral Festival in St. John's, NL. The choir has also been featured on CBC Radio's Musicraft, Canada Live and Choral Concert Series. Most recently, the group was selected to participate in Podium 2008 at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick where Les Ms. was featured along with other accomplished choirs from across Canada in this biennial national conference of the Association of Canadian Choral Conductors. To further its commitment to choral education and development, the choir presented in the Spring of 2008, Les Ms.and Children Join in Song, an exciting new collaboration featuring five local children's choirs and Les Ms.

On November 20, 2008 at the Majestic, Les Ms. had a very successful launch of their first CD. Click here for updates on CD sales and information on how to purchase your own copy of the CD.

Unique Performances
Performances by Les Ms. offer a distinct and diverse product of quality choral music, from sacred music arrangements and spirituals to pop, traditional and vocal jazz. Accompanied by their director, the choir members create a dynamic and engaging connection with their audience as they bring their joy of music to each and every listener. It is this exceptional style of choral music presentation and love of music that make performances by Les Ms. so unique, entertaining and memorable.