Documentary on Grande Prairie Boys Choir now online

Jun 5, 2021 | 7:00 AM

A documentary on a Grande Prairie singing group and how it coped with the pandemic is the newest work from local production company Checkered Owl.

It is called Muted and focuses on the Grande Prairie Boys Choir.

Producer/director Rew Jones says the idea came from his own son being in the choir, and the group not being able to do its final concert for the 2019-2020 season.

“And the rehearsals were obviously cancelled. It was a crazy time for the choir. So, I started speaking to the conductor Jeannie (Vanwynsberghe Pernal) about if we could do something at the end of last season, but it didn’t end up making sense just because the restrictions were so strong,” explained Jones.

“Then, as we came into this season, we started having conversations (to see) if there was any way I could help capture the choir’s story.”

Jones says shooting started last fall and the film has been out for about a week.

He describes his work as “a nice story of hope and perseverance.”

“It was very good to have a live view of what excellent leadership looks like in tumultuous times,” said Jones. “The way the choir, specifically Jeannie, were able to pivot and navigate and help so many of these boys go through this time was incredible.”

Jones says the choir’s 2020-21 season has wrapped up and planning has already started for the next one that starts in the fall.

Muted can be found on YouTube. Jones is hoping to have it featured in some film festivals.

Photo supplied by Rew Jones.

by Curtis Galbraith