What's the best way to preserve my singing voice? One of the best ways is to drink cool - not cold - water with a touch of lemon says a Texas expert. Also, avoid peanuts, chips, chocolate, milk, coffee and cigarettes because these can cause throat irritation or acid reflux that affects the voice.

History

Chaverim began in March 1986 at Vasey United Church. Since its creation, Chaverim has performed over 500 times in Churches of all denominations and sizes holding only 50 people as well as venues holding 1000. The group has played all over Southern Ontario and the Ontario near North - from London, to Ottawa, to Elliott Lake and everything in between. Chaverim has played at many United Churches, Alliance, Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Community, Mennonite, Pentecostal, and Presbyterian Churches, and even places like the Oro Fairgrounds and the Martyrs' Shrine in Midland.

Chaverim has been performing contemporary Christian music with a few secular pieces in the mix. The music arrangements are from many sources with some privately arranged, but many arrangements are our own. We are constantly looking for new appropriate music that will bring God's message to the members in the group as well our audiences and congregations.

cover of God's Not Finished The group has done four recordings in the last 15 years. Each recording has had its own challenges musically, plus working our way through licensing, budgets and the actual recording process. The directors have learned as much as the members by doing these projects. Chaverim owns all its own sound equipment and also has to maintain it or eventually replace it. Our budget has grown from $0.00 in 1986 to over $25,000.00 in 2000.

The biggest challenge over the years has been to maintain the consistency of the performance of the group. Each year, we lose between two and eight members (sometimes more) as they move on to new parts of their life such as university, college or work. The challenge is to find young Christians who can sing and/or play instruments well, and want to do it as part of a group thirty times each year. As with all adult choirs, tenors and basses are hard to come by and are cherished and nurtured; similarly, senior pianists are constantly sought. We are constantly encouraged to continue with this ministry since the Chaverim members of today will be the next generation of church musicians tomorrow.