Tay Valley Choir Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Apr 16, 2025

In 2004 Susan Freeman, a Tay Valley Township councillor, knew that there was something about singing with others that just made you feel good.

She imagined an inter-generational choir with adults and children singing together.

Freeman approached well known local musical leader Nicola Oddy to direct the new Tay Valley Community Choir. And the rest is history! 20 years of history!

To celebrate, a grand 20th Anniversary Spring Concert is being planned for Friday, April 25 at 7:00pm at the Maberly Hall.

At the concert, former directors Nicola Oddy, Grace Armstrong and Jack Hurd, will lead one of their favourite songs from the past.

The choir will remember deceased director Ann McMahon with a show tune she loved, “One Day More” from Les Miserables.

Dayna Clarke, one of the first children to sing in the choir, now 20 years older, will return to join the choir as she leads “Over the Rainbow” with an opening solo.

Posters and photos from the past will decorate the hall.

In remembrance, there will be a place to write the names of members who have passed on.

The choir invites previous members to attend the concert.

A photo of all choir members, past and present, will be taken at the end of the concert.

Fiddlers and Friends, who have often been guest musicians at past choir concerts, will return to entertain with toe tapping and hand clapping tunes.

Over the years, the choir has had several directors and accompanists.

The  practices and concerts have always been fun. So much fun that some original members are still singing with the choir.

Rebecca Worden, current director and Mary Lou Carroll, current accompanist, make a great team leading an enthusiastic and talented group of singers.

Up-beat, soulful, and familiar songs sung in four part harmonies will make up the repertoire for the concert. As usual at Tay Valley Choir  concerts, there will be plenty of opportunities for the audience to sing along, ending with all joining in on Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”. 

Everyone is invited to help the choir celebrate its 20th anniversary. Refreshments will be shared by audience and singers at the end of the concert. Admission is by donation and Food Bank donations are welcome. ■