Goderich Laketown Band 50th Anniversary Concert

It's always nice to hear from our listeners, specially when the reviews are great! Thank you Doug and Colleen for the wonderful letter and photographs.

Fifty years of Music!    (By Doug R. Bundy)
Last Sunday afternoon, we attended the Concert put on by the Goderich Laketown Band to celebrate their 50th year of providing music to the people of Goderich!
What a wonderful group of musicians, about 50 of them, ranging in age from the youngest, a teenager, to two of the original members, Don McMillan and Jim Peters.
The band was formed in 1967-Canada’s Centennial Year- and has had several leaders over the years, with Charles Kalbfleisch the first leader. Their current leader, Hugh McGregor, introduced two other former leaders, now playing in the band. They were Al Mullin (Trumpet) and Irla Stewart (French Horn) .
Several former members also travelled from afar to play along with their friends for this special occasion. They seem to fit in just right!
The Band played favorites like the Colonel Bogey March and the Royal Air Force March Past, as well as a Canadian Folk Song Overture and several others, showing the highly professional aptitude that all the players have, guided by their conductor, Hugh McGregor. Included was the premier Performance of “Snug Harbour” a stirring piece written by local composer, Jeff Smallman, who was present in the audience.
As a lead in to the Laketown Band music, a pair of percussionists, Brennan Connolly and Dave Robilliard thrilled the audience with their expertise on drums, tambourines, marimbas, and other percussion instruments.
The concert ended with the band playing the Howard Cable version of O’ Canada, which the audience sang along with, loudly and proudly, to end a wonderful afternoon of Music!  
Then, to top it all off, the band and their families and many of the sponsors were invited to attend a banquet, put on by Lakeshore United church.  At this gathering, the Band Assistant Conductor, Katie Dockstader presented plaques to honour the two men who were original members of the band when it was first formed.   Don McMillan and Jim Peters accepted the gifts and were loudly applauded by all!  
You can hear the Laketown Band, along with the MacKay choristers and the Harbouraires at the annual Sound of Goderich, on Tuesday, May 9th, at the Christian Reform Church on Mill road.  
Here we see the entire Band, At Lakeshore United Church:   (Photo by Colleen Maguire )

 

Hugh McGregor leading the band during the 50th Anniversary concert(Photo by Colleen Maguire )

Hugh McGregor leading the band during the 50th Anniversary concert
(Photo by Colleen Maguire )

Don McMillan (L) and Jim Peters (R) accepting their awards of appreciation for their years of service. Don was our first president and Jim worked with Charles Kalbfleisch in getting the band going. Both are actively engaged in the Band, Don on trombone and Jim on Sax.
(Photo by Colleen Maguire )

Around the World in Song

Celebrating Canada and the World in Song

 Come celebrate Canada! The Blyth Festival Singers kick off this year’s 1-5-0 celebrations with a rousing and inspirational concert in Seaforth on Sunday, April 2nd.

 The program will feature songs to celebrate the 150th birthday of Canada as well as other great international music - from traditional folk songs to modern tunes that are known worldwide. Expect everything from ballads celebrating the unifying influence of the railways to Canadian music written for the movie “Passchendaele”, - an iconic World War I battle that helped defined Canada as a nation. Don’t be surprised to hear lively African rhythms and beautiful Cuban melodies, as well as music in both official languages. The eclectic mix of Canadian and world music, traditional and contemporary will keep you on the edge of your seats - wondering what comes next!

 Do expect to hear soloists and groups from the choir highlighted in our celebration of Canada and the world.

 The program is family friendly and a wonderful way to celebrate our country’s 1-5-0 with your loved ones!

"Around the World in Song”, the Music of Canada and the World will be presented on Sunday, April 2 at 3:00 pm at Northside United Church, 54 Goderich St in Seaforth.

Tickets are only $15.00 for adults and $6.00 for children 12 years and under. They can be purchased from any Blyth Festival Singer online from the Blyth Festival Box Office. www.blythfestival.com or by calling the box office at 519–523-9300.

The Blyth Festival Singers is a mixed community choir under the professional direction of Sharon Poelstra with Jill Wright as accompanist. Choir members come from all areas of Huron County and have worked to develop a high standard of performance in various repertoires, under the umbrella of the Blyth Centre for the Arts.

 

Sound of Goderich Spring 2017

Sound of Goderich  Spring 2017

The MacKay Choristers is a mixed community choir for people over 55 years of age who love to sing.  Linda Street, the current director since 2008, is carrying on in the tradition started by her aunt, Irla Stewart, who was the first director from 1983 to 1999.  Starting with 16 members the choir expanded over the years to about 70 members in the mid 2000's and is now sitting at 39 members.  In 2018, the Choristers will be celebrating its 35th Anniversary. Deborah Bailey accompanies the choir.

The Choristers usually perform at two Sound of Goderich concerts per year. They have hosted choral workshops with Victoria Meredith (Western Ontario University) and more recently,Rachel Rensink-Hoff (McMaster University). They have also attended other choral workshops and choir fests in the region. Theyperform locally and regionally with other choral groups and bands and at venues throughout Huron County