A pair of Neepawa area youth will be adding their voices to one of Westman's premiere singing groups. The Western Manitoba Youth Choir (WMYC) is preparing to tour the Westman region in October, after having had two weekend rehearsals in September at the Riding Mountain Conference Centre in Clear Lake. The 52 voice choir is drawn from 17 Westman communities, and this year's version will be featuring Neepawa's Destiny Boswell as well as Kelwood's Kennie Benoit. Both of the students attend NACI where they take part in the school's choir, drama class and major productions. “They are very good singers and have been very involved in our school,” NACI teacher Blair Chapman, who leads the choir, drama class and major productions, said of Destiny and Kennie. “The WMYC looks for people with a spark and they both have that in spades.” The students have taken part in two very intensive weekends of practices where they sing in sessions throughout the day. This coming week, the choir will begin its touring. It's an experience that's tasking but rewarding for students. “They only have two weeks of training where they have to learn the music and it's not easy music, it's challenging,” Chapman explained. “They go to expand their ability and bring it back to us, so we benefit with our choir and musical as well.” This year's tour begins Oct. 13 and runs until Oct. 16. Neepawa is fortunate to have been chosen for one of the concert stops on the tour this year. A concert will be held Monday, Oct. 15 at 1:30 p.m. in the NACI gymnasium. HMK and NACI students will be in attendance, while the community is both welcomed and encouraged to attend. For non-students, there will be a $5 charge to get in. “We hope people who have a connection to the WMYC from the past or those who want to hear a really good, 50-some person choir perform, will come enjoy it,” Chapman pointed out. “There will be chairs set up for the public to use so they can be comfortable.” It's expected the choir will perform for about an hour. Other school concerts will be held in Minnedosa, Forrest, and Brandon, a church service performance will be in Kenton, while evening concerts are scheduled for Souris, Virden, Strathclair and Brandon. Conductors are Rick Heppner Mueller of Altona and Korey Peters of Randolph. Accompanist is Glenda McConnell of Souris.