Menno Singers

The Menno Singers are a choral group based in Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. They perform mainly sacred works and frequently sing a cappella.[1] The Menno Singers frequently perform with their affiliated groups, the Inter-Mennonite Children's Choir and the Menno Youth Singers.[2][3]

History

The Menno Singers were founded in 1955 by Abner Martin,[4] who acted as the group's first conductor.[5] Many of the original members were graduates of Rockway Mennonite High School.[6]

In the 1960s, the group began organizing combined concerts with other choral groups in the area, under the name Mennonite Mass Choir.[6]

The choir is affiliated with Conrad Grebel College at the University of Waterloo; in 1990 the music director was William H. Janzen Jr.[7]

In 1999 Peter Nikiforuk became the artistic director of the group, and remained in this position until 2017.[8] In 2000 the choir performed in Toronto with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony.[9]

In 2002 the Singers took part in the Toronto International Choral Festival.[10]

The Menno Singers received a $15,000 grant from the Region of Waterloo in 2017 to fund a special concert on the occasion of Nikiforuk's retirement, and for the commissioning of a musical composition by composer Colin Labadie and poet Amanda Jernigan.[11]

References
  1. "Menno Singers: thoroughly modern Mennonites". Van Rijn, Judy. Performing Arts & Entertainment in Canada; Toronto Vol. 33, Iss. 3, (Autumn 2001): 15-16.
  2. "Menno Singers". Record group description at the Mennonite Archives of Ontario website.
  3. "Mennonite choirs deliver inspiring concert". Waterloo Region Record, Dec 14, 2010
  4. "Abner Martin to be inducted into the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame". Woolwich Observer. April 20, 2017 , page 2
  5. "Alumni inducted into Hall of Fame". Rockway Collegiate website.
  6. "Menno Singers celebrate 60 years with concert series". Observer Extra, By Whitney Neilson - November 26, 2015
  7. "Music at University of Waterloo". The Canadian Encyclopedia. June Countryman, 10/20/2011
  8. "Nikiforuk ends long career with Menno Singers". Waterloo Region Record, May 12, 2017 by Luisa D’Amato
  9. "Review Mennonite chorus in fine form". Toronto Star - Toronto, Ont. Chapman, Geoff, Apr 18, 2000 Page: 1
  10. "The Joy of Singing: Toronto International Choral Festival". La Scena Musicale Online Reviews and News , By Joseph So July 10, 2002
  11. "Region of Waterloo Arts Fund awards 17 grants". Morning Post Exchange, July 5, 2016
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