The Georgian Bay Children’s choir is headquartered in St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 865 2nd Ave West, Owen Sound. We welcome singers ages 6 through 19 into our choral music education program. Founded in 1986 by Mrs. Mary Lou Tremills our choir continues to provide opportunities for its members to experience life, beauty, and joy through singing. Musical genres range from sacred, secular, folk, and world music with an emphasis on Canadian content. Performances have included semi-annual concerts, guest appearances, community events, senior’s homes, church services, festivals, and touring. The multi-level program, under the direction of Linda Hawkins and Dr. Regan MacNay, is designed to promote excellence in performance and music literacy in a relaxed, fun, and safe environment.
Since 1986, the Georgian Bay Children’s Choir is a community choir for children and youth aged 6 through 19. Members are drawn from the southern Georgian Bay region of Ontario, with Owen Sound as the major center. Its choral training program is committed to excellence through education, performance and competition. Each level of program – Carillon, Rhythm & Chamber Ensemble – is designed to develop musical skills and a love of choral singing.
Georgian Bay Children’s Choir concerts are held twice a year in December and May. In addition, the choir has numerous singing engagements in the community, including performances at nursing homes, in churches, at hockey games, for service clubs and at other community events. The choir has performed with the Georgian Bay Symphony and as the result of performances at the Kiwanis Music Festival, has been recommended for provincial competition several times.
Chamber Ensemble has participated in festivals and competitions from coast to coast, the United States and Europe, and has hosted festivals and choirs from around the world. The choir has also been invited to participate in several choral workshops over the years. Almost every other year, Chamber Ensemble travels internationally to compete or participate in international music festivals.
Selected Highlights
2019
Participated in Unisong Choral Festival – Ottawa
2016
Host Festival for Southend On Sea Girls & Boys Choirs – UK
2014
Bluewater District School Board – Performance with Colonel Chris Hadfield
Kaleid Festival, Woodstock
Meaford Hospital Foundation Fundraiser – Performance with Colonel Chris Hadfield
2013
TJX Conference – Blue Mountain
2011
Toured Austria, Hungary as participants in Summa cum Laude International Music Festival
2009
Sang at Canadian Olympic Torch relay for arrival ceremonies
2007
Toured in Spain and France
2006/7
Participated in the Special Olympics Winter Games opening ceremonies and performed with Michael Burgess for a Special Olympics concert fundraiser
2006
Performed at the Tulip Festival, Ottawa, Ontario and hosted a regional training choir festival
2005
Leith Historic Church, Ontario, Performed Traditional Advent Lessons and Carols Service
Performed ‘The Russian Dolls’ with the Georgian Bay Symphony
OIK International Youth Music Festival, Ansbach, Germany
2004
Performed John Rutter’s “Brother Heinrich’s Christmas
Premiered original composition of “The Long Journey”, part of the Cultural Capital of Canada (Owen Sound) Celebration with other area choirs
2003
Performed Benjamin Britten’s “Ceremony of Carols” with guest harpist Lori Gemmell
Suas e! International Choral Festival, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
2002/3
Performed in Handel’s “Messiah” with the Georgian Bay Concert Choir
Performed at the opening ceremonies for the Billy Bishop Museum in Owen Sound, as it received its designation as a national historic site.
2001
World of Children’s Choirs Festival, Vancouver, British Columbia
2000
Performed Ralph Vaughan Williams’ ‘Hodie’ with Georgian Bay Symphony
1999
Festival 500, St. John’s, Newfoundland
1998
Niagara International Music Festival, Niagara Falls, Ontario
1996
Kathaumixw International Choral Festival, Powell River, British Columbia
1995
Des Moines, Iowa International Choral Festival – First Place, Folk Ensemble Competition
1994
Shore to Shore in ’94 – 10-day Atlantic coast tour
1991
Des Moines, Iowa International Children’s Festival
Recordings
“A Christmas Experiment” with the Canadian Brass and “Songs We Will Sing Forever”