AN ARTICLE FROM THE STAR PHOENIX
By Darlene Polachic
“As a gospel singer, I’m here to tell the story,” she says. “Gospel music is your testimony, your life. In black gospel music, particularly, the songs we sing talk about victories and trials, highs and lows, and how through it all God still gets the glory.”
Reid Noble says while black singers like Mahalia Jackson set the style and the stage for gospel music, there are many more branches of the genre today. Sonia’s music, for instance, “is more R&B-ish.”
Reid Noble grew up in Hamilton, Ontario, the daughter of a pastor. She was drawn to music early and began singing and playing the piano at the age of eight.
She became active in the music of the church as a youth, and it was where she identified her musical gift.
“I sang solos and participated in choirs and musical groups, and was involved in lots of singing ministry with other youth from my church, including leading the congregation in worship. Music was part of who we were.”
At 17, Reid Noble began studying voice with the Royal Conservatory of Music, then moved on to Redeemer University College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in music with a focus on classical voice. She also spent several years doing postgraduate work. During that time, she says, she learned more about church music.
While she was trained as a classical soprano, Reid Noble says she’s more of an alto when she’s singing gospel music.
She has worked professionally all across Canada, in the U.S., and in the Caribbean.
Reid Noble’s debut CD, ‘In You,’ was released in 2009.
One of the many ways Reid Noble shares her love for music is through teaching. For the past 25 years, she has taught vocal lessons to students of all ages, inspiring them to become musically confident. She believes music must first resonate with the artist in order for them to have a powerful impact with it.
While the climate for music performance in Saskatchewan is a healthy one, Reid Noble says she has taken her time becoming established, thanks in part to being a mom to her two children, ages three and five.
“Of course, I began singing in the church our family attends,” she says, “and a surprising opportunity came when I was invited to sing the national anthem before several Roughrider games. That was an amazing experience.”
Reid Noble was the special guest performer at Elim Church’s Christmas presentation for a couple of years, and in 2017, she did her first singing gig at The Bassment, where she performed before a sold-out audience. She performed there twice last year, and is booked to appear again in February.
Reid Noble says gospel music is part of her programs at The Bassment, “but not all. I do Soul and R&B, as well. I tell people I think I’m old enough now to sing about love.”
I have spent my life singing and learning music. From piano lessons as a child to a degree in music from Redeemer University, and continued training. I see music as something I can never learn enough about. Being able to share the gift of music with an audience or a vocal student bring great joy.
For more than a decade, 
Conductor and pianist, Leslie Dala enjoys a multifaceted career spanning the genres of opera, symphonic music, choral and contemporary works. On the podium, he is known for his passionate, dynamic, and charismatic approach to music making. Named one of the top ten artistic leaders by the Vancouver Sun, Dala is well known nationally with guest conducting appearances with orchestras and opera companies across the country. Internationally, he has performed in France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Ireland, the Czech Republic, China, Taiwan and the US including recently at Carnegie Hall. Currently, he is a member of the music staff at the Santa Fe Opera.
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