A local music director has adapted during the pandemic to make sure she can keep people connected via music.
For this week’s edition of People of Collingwood we sat down with Kimberley Raeburn-Gibson, 51, director of music at First Presbyterian Church.
Q: For how long have you lived in Collingwood?
A: I was born in Collingwood. I’ve lived here most of my life.
I also lived in Toronto for six years and Vancouver for six years.
Q: Where did you go to school?
A: I went to Connaught Public School, and went to high school at Collingwood Collegiate Institute.
I also went to the University of Toronto for music, and Simon Fraser University for arts education.
Now, I’m the director of music at First Presbyterian Church. I also do private teaching for piano and voice.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I enjoy sourdough bread making, cooking, running (very slowly) and music.
Q: Do you volunteer, and where?
A: Yes, at my church lots. Volunteering goes hand-in-hand with my position.
My favourite non-music involvement is with the community suppers. I greet at the front table. I like meeting the people that come and helping them to feel welcome, and special.
I also volunteer for Clearview community theatre productions (when they are running).
If you’ve been to a Clearview musical, I’ve probably taken your ticket. I love to welcome people to the shows and to see people get excited about local theatre.
Q: What appeals to you about the arts?
A: You can enter a whole other world/state/galaxy.
You can be a president or a pauper.
You can touch the hearts of people with theatre and music — and really make a change in their lives — whether they just feel better, or they are inspired to change their world.
Q: Why are the arts so important?
A: They say music soothes the savage soul.
I think that extends to the arts — it is a way to express our humanity and creativity.
Q: How has your faith influenced your life path?
A: My faith leads me to want to help others—help them to feel valued and loved; empower them to be difference-makers.
My talents are in music, so music is my vehicle to accomplish this.
Q: How has COVID impacted the arts locally, from your perspective?
A: It has put indoor physical gatherings that involve singing to a halt.
It has been very difficult for any wind instrument to express themselves.
For my teaching, it was Zoom lessons for a while. These were very difficult, so I cancelled most lessons. Now, I can teach ‘live’ but by still keeping physically distanced — so I have to describe more, and show less.
Teaching/learning is slowed down.
Q: How have you adapted to the changes?
A: Some programs were moved outside, such as our kids’ Vacation Bible Camp program, for instance.
My choirs have gone virtual! I send out sheet music, guide tracks and extensive instructions to my choirs to help them learn the music, practice the music and record themselves on video.
And that is just the beginning!
Then they have to figure out, with my help, how to share big files. We use Google Drive, Air Drop, USB sticks, drop box, mail drop — all sorts of sharing forums that were new to me, too.
Everyone is getting quite good at it!
Some of my rural members have a tougher time due to internet speed, so they bring their music to work and record there.
Once the files are collected, they are made into virtual choirs by one of our church members, Denman. At first there were only three to four of us from the same family leading a live stream Sunday worship.
Everyone in our congregation learned very quickly how to worship via YouTube.
Now for worship we use wonderful plexiglass dividers that allow a few physically distanced singers to sing without masks, and keep each other and our congregation protected.
Q: What does the future hold for you?
A: I’d like to learn how to bake a perfect loaf of sourdough, cut it with my bare (not plastic-gloved) hands, and share it with anyone that would like to eat it.
I will continue teaching, as long as protocols allow. I’ll keep trying to find ways to keep people connected via music.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like people in Collingwood to know about you?
A: Well, I actually live in Nottawa with my family, but I always say I’m from Collingwood. I’ve always been proud to come from such a beautiful and caring small town.
For our feature People of Collingwood, we’ll be speaking with interesting people who are either from or are contributing to the Collingwood community in some way, letting them tell their own stories in their own words. This feature will run on CollingwoodToday every Saturday. If you’d like to nominate or suggest someone to be featured in People of Collingwood, email [email protected].
