A new singing group in Cochrane is giving ladies a platform to channel their inner Celines and belt out their best Beyonces.
The Twinkle Tones was formed last fall and meets on the last Wednesday of each month in the lower level of the Royal Canadian Legion in Historic Downtown. The idea was the brainchild of crooner Laurie Drukier, who by day works for the Town of Cochrane, and chanteuse Brenda Koob – a music teacher.
“We were just talking one day (and said), ‘Wouldn’t it be fun if there was a low pressure way you could get together and sing?” recalled Drukier. “Not everybody wants to be in something structured like a choir – but not everybody wants to go to karaoke, either.”
Women ranging in age from their mid-20s to 70s currently make up the Twinkle Tones – and people of any ability level who simply love to sing are encouraged to drop in. At each two-hour session, the group takes on about eight songs, which run the gamut from Simon and Garfunkel to Bruno Mars.
“We try to bring a really wide variety because we want everyone to enjoy it,” Drukier said, adding lyric sheets are available for those who may be unfamiliar with the tune.
Depending on the song, the ladies might play around with harmonies, or take turns doing duets. There’s also an opportunity for women to request to rock out to their own favourite ditties at the next get-together.
Despite the social aspects of the club, there are physical benefits as well – researchers in the United Kingdom found singing aids both physically and psychologically, including increasing oxygenation in the bloodstream, strengthening muscles in the upper body and improving mental health.
“It encourages deeper breathing. There’s endorphins – it gets your heart rate going,” said Drukier, adding there is also no pressure to be competitive. “It’s fun, low stress – we don’t have a performance expectation.
“There’s no judgment here,” she said. “We’re here to have fun.”
The next Twinkle Tones singing session takes place on Feb. 22.