Cultivating community through the Choirs YYJ
Host Lucky Budd welcomes Marc Jenkins, leader of The Choirs YYJ, to talk about leading three choir ensembles with over 200 members of all ages, genders, vocal abilities and experience. They talk about Marc’s beginnings, being inspired by seeing Stevie Ray Vaughn and picking a guitar up at the age of seven and years later, moving to Victoria and taking over the Choirs YYJ. From arranging a Radiohead song for 100 people to providing a platform for local causes to share their stories, Marc reflects on the incredible power of bringing community together through song.
Vital Signs Issue Area
Sustainable Cities and Communities make those cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. In Greater Victoria’s 2021 Vital Signs Report, survey participants gave ‘Arts & Culture’ a B grade (see pages 10-11). This issue is connected to Sustainable Development Goal 4, 8 and 11: Quality Education, Decent Work and Economic Growth and Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Episode 4 Guest
Marc Jenkins: Marc began playing guitar as a young boy in Edmonton, AB. After moving to Victoria, in 2014 he took over direction and management of the Choirs YYJ. Marc has now expanded the Choirs YYJ to feature three choir ensembles with over 200 members. He’s produced and played pedal steel for Pharis and Jason Romero’s Juno award-winning album Sweet Old Religion (Best Traditional Folk Recording, 2018) and continues to arrange, write, produce and perform on tour and in studio sessions.