Kingston’s pride Georgette Fry is the voice behind the Shout Sister Choir movement, which over the past 15 years has grown to include 24 chapters across Ontario.
Fry has been a musician for the last 40 years, fulfilling a love for music that began when she was four years old.
Her musical career has met with success. In 1992, after working through some tough times in her life, and with the encouragement of her children, Fry channeled her energy and passion for music into a first album, Rites of Passage, which was nominated for a Juno.
“When I’m singing, nothing hurts,” Fry says.
WATCH ABOVE: Kingston’s own Georgette Fry on her 15-year journey with Shout Sister Choir
But she has also brought her passion for music into the lives of others. Fifteen years ago, while she was watching the movie “Sister Act,” she was inspired to create her own choir for women. “I thought it would be a good way to reach more women.”
At first, Fry didn’t think she had the skills to lead a large group. “I can’t conduct a choir. I can’t read music,” she says.
One woman heard about Fry’s plans and made a pitch. The woman said that she would bring 10 women into Fry’s choir, so long as Fry could find 10 more on her own. A few weeks later, “Shout Sister” was born. And the person that made Fry that offer is still a member of the group today.
Shout Sister welcomes any woman who has the passion to sing. The women in the choir are allowed to join the group without an audition or the ability to read music.
“We all sing along with the radio,” she says. “People who might not be able to join other choirs should be able to get into one.”
Looking back, Fry is thankful she got that push to create the choir.
“Maybe this is what I’ve been meant to do. It feels wonderful to give back.”
Since the launch of the Kingston choir, Fry has expanded and formed 24 other “Sister Shout” chapters across Ontario, empowering women to use their voice.
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