The Heritage Singers perform only a couple of concerts throughout the year, but when they do belt out the tunes, it is usually worth the wait.
The community choir held its annual spring concert on May 5 at Central Lutheran Church, offering a selection of songs that celebrated the new season and displayed members’ impressive talents and ranges.
Director Brenda Johnson said it was a wonderful day to perform, while the choir did an awesome job singing the dozen songs they had been practising for months.
“We had such a great audience. And it’s so easy to sing to people (who) are looking back at you and see that they’re appreciating everything you’re saying and singing,” she said.
It wasn’t difficult for Johnson to pick songs because she loves music, knows the group, and understands what the members can handle. Furthermore, she is always looking at music and thinking about what could be possible for the choir.
“I just picked songs that I know the choir will like. I picked for range and … accompaniment. I want to showcase my accompanist (on the piano), so I always pick music that will do that,” Johnson said.
Around 60 people took in the 14-piece, all-female chorus, with soprano and alto singers performing a wide range of harmonies accompanied by Wanda Reid on piano. The result is a show that’s far from what one might hear from an average church choir.
The choir consists of about 20 members ranging in age from early 60s to mid-80s who have “beautiful voices,” said Johnson.
Johnson has been directing this choir since 2003, although the group originally started as the Sons and Daughters of the Pioneers before a lack of male singers saw them adopt their new and current form in 2006.
The group practised at the Elks Hall for many years before it switched to the Free Methodist Church, where it rehearses Tuesday mornings. It performs two main concerts annually, with its Christmas concert occurring in mid-December, while it sometimes performs at care homes and the Rotary Carol Festival.
The Heritage Singers have been performing at Central Lutheran Church “for a long time,” but the group will have to find a new venue for its Christmas concert because the church is closing in June.
“I know lots of churches around that are in the same predicament and I feel very sorry for them. I think it’s too bad that they have to close their doors,” said Johnson.
“Well, for us, we love this church because it seats 100 to 110 people comfortably. And that’s generally what we get,” she continued. “And the acoustics are good in here and it’s just a cozy, warm place.”
The choir doesn’t know where it might sing in December but isn’t worrying about that now because it plans to take a break over the summer. The group will address that situation once it returns in the fall.
Johnson added that she appreciated Wanda Reid accompanying the group on piano since they couldn’t perform without her.
Anyone interested in joining the Heritage Singers can contact Johnson at 306-631-8095.
