It was in September 1967 that the St. Peter鈥檚 Chorus came together under the direction of Al Gerwing.
Now 50 years later, they will be celebrating this achievement with a 50th anniversary weekend celebration April 28-30.
Current director, Maxine Moore says the weekend is going to include a concert in Lanigan on April 28, a reunion banquet on April 29, and their anniversary concert at St. Peter鈥檚 Church in Muenster on April 30.
鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be a walk down memory lane because 50 years is quite a long time for any group to still be in existence.鈥�
Moore says there will also be a historical display of past programs and pictures.
Fifty years of concerts also means a lot of past members and they have been invited to join the聽 second half of the anniversary show to sing with the choir once again, says Moore. That means聽 around another 15 extra voices joining the choir at last count.
鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be a good sized group of people. We鈥檒l have well over 60 people up singing.鈥�
Previous members have been on the move so that means some people have to come back from places such as Ottawa, Edmonton, California, as well as Saskatoon, Naicam, and other local places.
That is the most exciting part for Moore, saying that some people have rejoined the choir just to be a part of the celebration.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just the excitement of celebrating something like this.鈥�
The music itself will also be a historical telling of the choir with two pieces being from the first concert, Canadian tunes to celebrate Canada 150, and other pieces as tribute to founding director Al Gerwing.
To have the group last this long speaks to the community as well as the dedication of its members, says Moore.
Membership has expanded over the years in terms of distance travelled but Moore says local churches and schools losing their own choirs speaks to that.
This is an outlet for people who still enjoy to sing, says Moore.
鈥淲e fill that need for a performing outlet. It is singing which is our given instrument.鈥�
The social aspect also plays a role since people are driving a fair way, there has to be something else that brings them into the choir.
