Townsman, 1991-11, Page 331
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The Listowel Concert Singers formed in 1985 and since that time they have performed some of the great choral music clas-
sics of the past and present, accompanied by renowned orchestras and exceptional guest soloists.
Listowel choir proves top music
can come from small towns
For seven seasons the Listowel
Concert Singers have presented quali-
ty musical productions that bring joy
to the hearts of many, particularly at
this special time of year.
Formed in the spring of 1985 to
commemorate the 300th anniversary
of Handel's birth, the group's
founders had begun an extensive
search 18 months earlier for soloists
and an orchestra. Once they were
obtained, advertisements were pub-
lished asking for potential choir mem-
bers.
The response was encouraging,
with people from Listowel as well as
Mitchell, Atwood, Wingham and Har-
riston offering support. By December
of that year, the 80 voice choir, under
the direction of Paul Sloan, performed
Handel's renowned Messiah. Accom-
panied by the K -W Symphony
Orchestra the choir did three concerts,
two in Listowel and one in Mitchell.
by Bonnie Gropp
The venture was a success, with
impressive turnouts at each perfor-
mance and accolades awarded by
those in attendance. For the fledgling
choir this was very gratifying, indeed.
Thus, it was agreed there was poten-
tial for a promising future and the
group decided to stay together.
George Gracey, who served on
the choir's executive that first year
and is still a member of the choir, said
the objective was, from the beginning,
"to produce major choral works with
symphony orchestras such as can usu-
ally only be experienced in large
urban centres." The choir has, over
the ensuing years, accomplished this
goal admirably having had the plea-
sure of being in the forefront of the
London Sinfonia and Ensemble, Brass
Roots, and Symphony Orchestra, in
addition to the K -W Orchestra.
In 1987, Mr. Sloan left the choir
to be replaced by assistant conductor,
Tim Gilbert, a graduate of the Univer-
sity of Western Ontario, and music
teacher at Listowel District Secondary
School since 1981. Mr. Gilbert was
also, at that time, the choirmaster of
Christ Anglican Church in Listowel,
as well as the Area Representative to
the Royal School of Church Music.
He gained further musical knowledge
in 1987 when he had the prestigious
honour of studying for one week with
Sir David Willcocks, England's fore-
most choirmaster. Presently, in addi-
tion to his musical guidance of the
Listowel Concert Singers, Mr. Gilbert
is Head of Music at Stratford Central
Secondary School.
Through the years, Listowel
Concert Singers, who incorporated in
1988, have performed with national-
ly and internationally known classical
soloists. An interesting aspect of the
choir is that for many of these guest
soloists, performing with the choir is
TOWNSMAN/NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991 31