Menno Singers
The Menno Singers are a choral group based in Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. They perform mainly sacred works and frequently sing a cappella.[1] The Menno Singers frequently perform with their affiliated groups, the Inter-Mennonite Children's Choir and the Menno Youth Singers.[2][3]
History[edit]
The Menno Singers were founded in 1955 by Abner Martin,[4] who acted as the group's first conductor.[5] Many of the original members were graduates of Rockway Mennonite High School.[6]
In the 1960s, the group began organizing combined concerts with other choral groups in the area, under the name Mennonite Mass Choir.[6]
The choir is affiliated with Conrad Grebel College at the University of Waterloo; in 1990 the music director was William H. Janzen Jr.[7]
In 1999 Peter Nikiforuk became the artistic director of the group, and remained in this position until 2017.[8] In 2000 the choir performed in Toronto with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony.[9]
In 2002 the Singers took part in the Toronto International Choral Festival.[10]
The Menno Singers received a $15,000 grant from the Region of Waterloo in 2017 to fund a special concert on the occasion of Nikiforuk's retirement, and for the commissioning of a musical composition by composer Colin Labadie and poet Amanda Jernigan.[11]
References[edit]
- ^ "Menno Singers: thoroughly modern Mennonites". Van Rijn, Judy. Performing Arts & Entertainment in Canada; Toronto Vol. 33, Iss. 3, (Autumn 2001): 15-16.
- ^ "Menno Singers". Record group description at the Mennonite Archives of Ontario website.
- ^ "Mennonite choirs deliver inspiring concert". Waterloo Region Record, Dec 14, 2010
- ^ "Abner Martin to be inducted into the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame". Woolwich Observer. April 20, 2017 , page 2
- ^ "Alumni inducted into Hall of Fame". Rockway Collegiate website.
- ^ a b "Menno Singers celebrate 60 years with concert series". Observer Extra, By Whitney Neilson - November 26, 2015
- ^ "Music at University of Waterloo". The Canadian Encyclopedia. June Countryman, 10/20/2011
- ^ "Nikiforuk ends long career with Menno Singers". Waterloo Region Record, May 12, 2017 by Luisa D’Amato
- ^ "Review Mennonite chorus in fine form". Toronto Star - Toronto, Ont. Chapman, Geoff, Apr 18, 2000 Page: 1
- ^ "The Joy of Singing: Toronto International Choral Festival". La Scena Musicale Online Reviews and News , By Joseph So July 10, 2002
- ^ "Region of Waterloo Arts Fund awards 17 grants". Morning Post Exchange, July 5, 2016