Music to one’s ears

Grant Park

A local choir is set to celebrate 25 years of song in style.

On Sunday, May 3, Margaret’s Choir will host its 25th anniversary concert at Bethel Mennonite Church (465 Stafford St.) — a show that will not only pay tribute to the choir’s past, but also look to the future.

“One of the things we’re doing that’s special is we’re bringing back our former conductors,” said Leonard Greenwood, administrative chair of the choir. “They’re a big part of the story.”

Former artistic directors Jeremy Vallance, Nathan Poole, and Vanessa Nowostawski will each take a turn conducting their favourite songs from the choir’s extensive repertoire. The choir will perform nine numbers in all, including a world premiere of Invitation by Winnipeg composer Chris Byman.

“It’s amazing to bring a brand-new, unheard piece of music to an audience for the first time,” said current artistic director Katy Harmer, who has been involved with Margaret’s Choir since 2021.

“It’s an uplifting piece, sort of in the classical vein, but there’s a really nice melody that the choir gets to sing a few times through. Now that we’re almost there, we’re hearing how all the different parts fit together.”

The new composition is based on a poem by Greenwood, which aims to encapsulate the philosophy of the choir, founded by Margaret Tobin in 2000.

“Everyone has both a voice and some musicality in them, and if they’re given an opportunity and some encouragement, wonderful things will happen,” Greenwood said. “That’s basically Margaret’s message.”

Greenwood first became involved with the no-audition choir 20 years ago, after hearing Tobin interviewed about it on the radio, and has stuck with it ever since. Originally known as the Spirit’s Call Choir, the singing group changed its name in 2014 to honour Tobin, who died that year.

“It’s the friendships, the energy,” Greenwood said, explaining what keeps him coming back year after year. “We put on benefit concerts twice a year. Every year we start anew. We all know we’re going to struggle with the music, we laugh about it, and for two hours every Sunday afternoon, we just have a good time. We don’t put a lot of pressure on each other or anything like that. It’s amazing what comes together at time of concert.”

The choir’s size has varied over the years, and currently sits at 107 members. According to Greenwood, members of the choir range in age from their mid-20s to mid-80s.

“We all have an appreciation of what this is in terms of the opportunity to do something that means something to the community,” he said.

“I’m a real strong believer in the power of making music together to build a community,” Harmer said. “There’s two things that can quickly form community — singing together and eating together. It’s a real group of people who love making music who are looking for others who enjoy that, wherever they are in their musical journey.”

Over the years, Margaret’s Choir has raised over $293,000 for more than 20 local charities.

“By doing that, it makes what we’re doing, it adds a sense of purpose,” Greenwood said.

Joining Margaret’s Choir for the 25th anniversary show is local a cappella group Those Guys. The show begins at 3 p.m. with a reception to follow. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for youth. For more information, visit margaretschoir.ca