About World Village Gospel Choir
WORLD VILLAGE GOSPEL CHOIR is a unique vocal ensemble that sings Southern US-style Gospel, World Music of many different cultures from around the globe, plus dynamic arrangements of well-loved artists such as Peter Gabriel, U2 and Stevie Wonder.
OUR MISSION is to create a supportive and inclusive community that enables each singer to express their true, free voice. We strive to create music that brings joy to both singer and audience, to illuminate the power and interconnectedness of our shared human experience.
WORLD VILLAGE GOSPEL CHOIR was founded in 2012 by Co-Directors Rachel Landrecht and Neil Weisensel. The Choir was featured on Vision TV’s documentary series Gospel to Go, recently performed at The Forks for Aboriginal Day Live (broadcast nationally on APTN), and also performed with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Heart at MTS Centre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkONwPf2xb4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVWD4m4dwxc
Request an Audition
https://youtu.be/SxykJjOaQzA
http://www.visiontv.ca/videos/gospel-to-go-1-4-world-village-gospel-choir/
Here’s how the choir works:
1. We rehearse only once a month, on a Saturday afternoon
2 We teach you the music using the call-and-response method – not music scores, so reading music is not a requirement.
3. After we teach you a song, we send you a practice track with your part isolated in one ear of your headphones, so you can learn your part (soprano, alto, tenor or bass) and also hear the other parts in your other ear. We also send out a score or lyric sheet.
4. We do a mixture of gospel, world music, rock, pop, and sacred music. We sing in different languages, and we honour any and all faith traditions, sexual orientations, and disabilities. We are community choir with a sacred heart.
5. The fee to sing for a session (either Sept-Dec. or Jan-April) is $84. This includes 4 rehearsals plus a concert (in the fabulous acoustic of Knox United Church), private vocal coachings if you desire, and all the practice tracks.
6. If this interests you, send an email with you phone number to [email protected]. After a simple phone audition, you’ll be on your way!
Past Shows
Neil Weisensel
| Date | City | Venue | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/22/17 | Winnipeg, MB | Canadian Mennonite University | Canada |
| Time: 8:00pm. Admission: $15. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 900 Shaftsbury Blvd. | |||
| 08/25/17 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Knox United Church | Canada |
| Time: 7:30pm. Admission: $15. Age restrictions: All Ages. Box office: 204-284-3684. Address: 400 Edmonton Street. Venue phone: (204) 942-4579. SummerChör Winnipeg presents Mozart’s Requiem in D minor, with SummerChör Choir and Orchestra, plus soloists Rachel Landrecht, Rose van der Hooft, Jan van der Hooft, and Matthew Pauls. Related post. | |||
Rachel Landrecht & Neil Weisensel
| Date | City | Venue | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05/14/23 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Laudamus Auditorium | Canada |
| Time: 3:00pm. Admission: 20. Age restrictions: All Ages. Box office: 204-881-3322. Address: 500 Shaftesbury Avenue. Venue phone: 204-881-3322. Come hear some beautiful music for voice and piano, by the husband and wife team of Rachel Landrecht and Neil Weisensel. Rachel is a consummate performer, known for her grace, mesmerizing stage presence and unforgettable voice. Neil is a pianist and composer, who loves collaborating with his beloved whenever he can. Together they founded Winnipeg’s well-known World Village Gospel Choir in 2012, as as a performing duo Neil and Rachel have appeared onstage with former US President Bill Clinton, Academy Award Winner Al Gore, and Justin Trudeau. They will present a selection of original and well-known songs at the Laudamus Auditorium at Canadian Mennonite University, 500 Shaftesbury Avenue in Winnipeg (near Grant and Shaftesbury). All in attendance will get a free copy of Rachel’s CD! | |||
SummerChor Choir and Orchestra
| Date | City | Venue | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08/13/22 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Knox United Church | Canada |
| Time: 2:00pm. Admission: $10. Age restrictions: All Ages. Box office: 204-881-3322. Address: 400 Edmonton Street. Venue phone: (204) 942-4579. Please send an e-transfer to [email protected] for $10 per ticket. We will track your purchase and check your name at the door. More information | |||
| 08/23/19 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Knox United Church | Canada |
| Time: 7:30pm. Admission: 12.50. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 400 Edmonton Street. Venue phone: (204) 942-4579. SummerChör Winnipeg is an initiative of World Village Music, a Winnipeg arts company founded by the husband-and-wife team of Neil Weisensel and Rachel Landrecht, Co-Directors of the popular World Village Gospel Choir. Related post. | |||
| 08/24/18 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Knox United Church | Canada |
| Time: 7:30pm. Admission: $15. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 400 Edmonton Street. Venue phone: (204) 942-4579. Come hear the Brahms Requiem, one of the most popular choral masterpieces of all time, renowned for its lyricism, powerful message, and unparalleled strength and beauty. Come This magnificent work will be performed by the 80-voice Winnipeg SummerChör on Friday Aug. 24TH at 7:30 pm in the outstanding acoustic of historic Knox United Church, 400 Edmonton St. The Choir will be will be joined by a full orchestra comprised of Winnipeg’s top community musicians. Soloist are Sarah Jo Kirsch, soprano and Matthew Pauls, baritone. Conducted by Neil Weisensel, Nancy Gomes is the Assistant Conductor. The concert is approximately 75 minutes long. Wheelchair accessible – call 204-881-3322 for details. Related post. | |||
| 08/25/17 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Knox United Church | Canada |
| Time: 7:30pm. Admission: $15. Age restrictions: All Ages. Box office: 204-284-3684. Address: 400 Edmonton Street. Venue phone: (204) 942-4579. SummerChör Winnipeg presents Mozart’s Requiem in D minor, with SummerChör Choir and Orchestra, plus soloists Rachel Landrecht, Rose van der Hooft, Jan van der Hooft, and Matthew Pauls. Related post. | |||
World Village Gospel Choir
| Date | City | Venue | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/30/24 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Knox United Church | Canada |
| Time: 2:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 400 Edmonton Street. Venue phone: (204) 942-4579. World Village Gospel Choir presents WVGC Rocks!, a concert celebrating all the great rock tunes the choir has sung in a decade of concerts. You’ll hear music by Aretha Franklin, U2, Neil Young, John Lennon, Led Zeppelin and more, with a 60-voice gospel choir backed up by a professional band, plus stellar soloists. Since its inception in 2012 by Co-Directors Rachel Landrecht and Neil Weisensel, World Village Gospel Choir (WVGC) has been singing gospel music, world music, spirituals, and new arrangements of pop and rock music from beloved artists like Stevie Wonder, U2, Neil Young, John Lennon, and many others. This concert will feature many of the songs previously covered, and a new set featuring songs of Aretha Franklin. Past highlights for WVGC include performing with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Heart at the Canada Life Centre, performances with both the Winnipeg Symphony and Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, performing at two Aboriginal Day Live concerts broadcast on APTN from The Forks, and being featured on Vision TV’s documentary series Gospel To Go. Related post. | |||
| 10/27/24 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Knox United Church | Canada |
| Time: 3:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 400 Edmonton Street. Venue phone: (204) 942-4579. We would like to invite interested community groups to be a part of SongShare, a community event that will take place on Sunday Oct. 27th at Knox United Church, 400 Edmonton St. at 3 pm. SongShare is an opportunity for different community members to share a simple song, in any language, that will be learned by the organizers and taught to the audience/congregation. The songs can be any style and dance groups are also welcome to perform along with songs. This event is organized by Neil Weisensel and Rachel Landrecht, co-founders of World Village Music, who present World Village Gospel Choir and SummerChör. The event is sponsored by the Winnipeg Arts Council. Rachel and Neil have been part of the Knox community since 2012. If you are interested, please call/text Rachel (204-962-3459) or Neil (204-881-3322) or email [email protected] Related post. | |||
| 04/27/24 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Knox United Church | Canada |
| Time: 2:00pm. Admission: $12.50. Age restrictions: All Ages. Box office: 204-284-3684. Address: 400 Edmonton Street. Venue phone: (204) 942-4579. World Village Gospel Choir Presents “Higher Love”! Related post. | |||
| 11/23/19 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Knox United Church | Canada |
| Time: 7:30pm. Admission: 12.50. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 400 Edmonton Street. Venue phone: (204) 942-4579. | |||
| 05/11/19 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Knox United Church | Canada |
| Time: 3:00pm. Admission: $15 at the door, $12.50 in advance. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 400 Edmonton Street. Venue phone: (204) 942-4579. Stairway to Heaven: Songs of Earth and Spirit | |||
| 04/28/18 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Knox United Church | Canada |
| Time: 3:00pm. Admission: $15 at the door / $12 in advance. Age restrictions: All Ages. Box office: 204-881-3322. Address: 400 Edmonton Street. Venue phone: (204) 942-4579. More information | |||
| 11/25/17 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Knox United Church | Canada |
| Time: 2:00pm. Admission: $15 at the door / $12 in advance. Age restrictions: All Ages. Box office: 204-881-3322. Address: 400 Edmonton Street. Venue phone: (204) 942-4579. WVGC Greatest Hits! More information | |||
| 04/22/17 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Knox United Church | Canada |
| Time: 2:00pm. Admission: $15 at the door / $12 in advance. Age restrictions: All Ages. Box office: 204-284-3684. Address: 400 Edmonton Street. Venue phone: (204) 942-4579. Join us for a delicious feast of world music from around the globe, funky and uplifting gospel music sung by a 70-voice choir full of energy! Related post. | |||
| 11/19/16 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Knox United Church | Canada |
| Time: 2:00pm. Admission: $15. Age restrictions: All Ages. Box office: 204-284-3684. Address: 400 Edmonton Street. Venue phone: (204) 942-4579. World Village Gospel Choir presents the second instalment of our a cappella series, WVGC Unlpugged 2!, We present an uplifting assortment of gospel and world music sung by a 70-voice choir of auditioned voices. More information | |||
| 08/26/16 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Knox United Church | Canada |
| Time: 7:30pm. Admission: $15 at the door / $12 in advance. Age restrictions: All Ages. Box office: 204-284-3684. Address: 400 Edmonton Street. Venue phone: (204) 942-4579. Related post. | |||
| 04/22/16 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Knox United Church | Canada |
| Time: 8:00pm. Admission: 15. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 400 Edmonton Street. Venue phone: (204) 942-4579. | |||
| 12/04/15 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Knox United Church | Canada |
| Time: 8:00pm. Admission: $15 at the door / $12 in advance. Age restrictions: All Ages. Box office: 204-284-3684. Address: 400 Edmonton Street. Venue phone: (204) 942-4579. Related post. | |||
| 07/17/15 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Knox United Church | Canada |
| Time: 7:30pm. Admission: $15/10 in advance. Age restrictions: All Ages. Box office: 204-284-3684. Address: 400 Edmonton Street. Venue phone: (204) 942-4579. WVGC Co-Directors are Rachel Landrecht and Neil Weisensel, the concert also features Aboriginal performers Mary Black and Jason Tuesday, plus soloists Maggie Boyko, Caroline Cutmore, Annick Miron, Margaret Kampff, Lianne Fournier, plus special guest FLO. Related post. | |||
| 04/25/15 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Knox United Church | Canada |
| Time: 2:00pm. Admission: $15. Age restrictions: All Ages. Box office: 204-284-3684. Address: 400 Edmonton Street. Venue phone: (204) 942-4579. Turn the World Around is an Earth Day concert includes three African songs in Swahili, Zulu and Xhosa, gospel tunes from Kirk Franklin and Keith Hampton, an Aboriginal gathering song by noted West Coast Salish composer Russell Wallace, songs by Harry Belafonte and K’naan arranged by WVGC Co-Director Neil Weisensel, and a rocking new song by Neil Young entitled Who’s Gonna Stand Up (and Save the Earth?). Related post. | |||
| 11/29/14 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Knox United Church | Canada |
| Time: 2:00pm. Admission: $15. Age restrictions: All Ages. Box office: 204-284-3684. Address: 400 Edmonton Street. Venue phone: (204) 942-4579. Bring It! An uplifting concert of energy and soul Related post. | |||
| 11/29/14 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Knox United Church | Canada |
| Time: 2:00pm. Admission: $15. Age restrictions: All Ages. Box office: 204-284-3684. Address: 400 Edmonton Street. Venue phone: (204) 942-4579. This concert is heavy on the Gospel Music side and features two songs from the Chicago area: The Lord is my Light from the renowned Chicago Mass Choir and O Lord Raise Me Up, from the Baha’i Devotional Choral Concert series in that same great city. Two African songs, the celebrated Siyahamba and Kwangena Thina Bo (”we come in, the Spirit is moved) bookend an ancient Icelandic hymn, Heyr Himna Smiour (“hear, smith of heavens”). This will be a concert with some rocking gospel tunes, some introspective devotional music, and some vibrant African songs. We are fortunate to be backed up by an outstanding band featuring Ron Paley on piano, Daniel Koulack on bass, Anthony Giancola on drums, and Henry Zacharias on percussion Related post. More information | |||