The St. Peter’s Chorus is going to Sing into Spring with their annual spring concert to kick off their 51st season as a Humboldt based choral group.
The group had a busy 2017 with their 50th anniversary concert and celebration taking a look back at past members and music to celebrate their feat of endurance.
They will continue looking back into the past for this season, says Choral Director Maxine Moore, as they will bring back some of the musical selections sung at the first choral concert on May 3 and 5, 1968, in St. Peter’s College gymnasium.
The focus will also be on Canadian composers and musicians with spring renewal being the main theme for the concert, with arrangements of Ian Tyson’s Four Strong Winds and B.C. composer David Baker’s Old Lady Rose.
Thrown into the mix is also Savory, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme done by the ladies choir, which is a fun piece that really moves, says Moore.
The main theme is life and renewal, says Moore, with some Easter music also a part of their spring concert since we are still in the Easter season.
Looking back on 51 years of choral tradition, a lot has changed, says Moore.
In 1968, it was not uncommon to see numerous choirs scattered among the area.
While the numbers may have been significantly reduced since then, Moore says it is important to keep up that choral tradition.
“Choral singing is still an important part of community as a way to get people together. We really want to encourage, especially younger members of the community that this is a wonderful experience.”
With a lack of choral opportunities in the area, many members are also making the drive in to perform with the group, including members from Naicam, St. Brieux, and Watrous making the drive to be a part of the chorus.
The 40-45 person chorus will also be keeping their house band tradition with Michele and Kevin Ackerman, and Dale Avison once again joining the spring performance to add some instrumental accompaniment.
The St. Peter’s Chorus will be performing in Lanigan at Knox United Church on April 27 and at St. Augustine Church in Humboldt on April 29.
