History of the Nepean Songsters

In 1993, while the Rev. George Morrison, Audrey Dixon, Mary Lunz and Vera Collier served on the Management Board of the Nepean Seniors Recreation Centre, these four people came up with the idea of forming a volunteer choir. They thought recreational singing would be a great relaxing opportunity for seniors, after spending most of their lives taking care of families. Singing would bring joy and friendship and perhaps for some, the chance to realize a dream by singing and performing in front of an audience. They were fortunate to have the full support of Diane Andrew, Programme Coordinator of the Nepean Seniors Recreation Centre, and most other Board Members of the Centre.

At the first meeting of the choir, five additional people showed up, which were: Art Boudreau, Shirley Dicks, Kathleen Platt, Muriel Ryan and Vera Stratton. They all agreed to meet each and every week. The musical accompanists for the next few months were: Art Boudreau on his harmonica and Vera Stratton on her ukulele. The membership increased, but ever so slowly. Nevertheless, the small group had fun and kept their positive attitude that the choir would eventually succeed. The Rev. George Morrison and Vera Collier came up with the name of NEPEAN SONGSTERS. The harmonica and the ukulele were great, but a piano was badly needed. Genevieve Morrison, wife of the Rev. George Morrison, quite often brought her child–size keyboard to practice and proudly played and accompanied us at our sing–outs.

The Songsters gradually grew to 30 members. Although the Nepean Songsters were still in the early stages of development, they received several invitations to sing, e.g., various functions at the Nepean Seniors Recreation Centre, singing the National Anthem at the opening of Business Sessions at Ottawa City Council meetings, the Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre, at functions of the Ontario Seniors Games, and at sing-outs at several seniors residences and nursing homes in Ottawa. In one memorable instance, several members of the choir were asked to participate in a fund-raiser for a 14-year-old cancer patient.

Several people from the early stages of the choir made a big difference, they were: the Rev. George Wallace and Sue Sparks as Musical Directors, and Bill Alink and Genevieve Morrison as Accompanists. When it was realized that the choir was here to stay, acquiring a piano was a must. Several members of the choir, with the help of friends and colleagues in the entertainment circle, were able to put together several variety shows; each was a success and enough funds were raised to purchase not only a piano but a sound system, too.

Beverly Caplan who was the first Librarian, passed away and her family and friends donated monies to the Songsters in her memory. With these funds, the Nepean Songsters purchased a cabinet, which was put to use to store the numerous music sheets. Then a plaque in Beverly's memory was attached to the cabinet. When Peter Griffith, former Musical Director passed away, he left a bequest to the Nepean Songsters; these funds purchased new music and a similar plaque in Peter's memory.

The success of the Nepean Songsters rests with the wonderful and talented directors, accompanists and many soloists along the way. The first full-time Musical Director was Helen Sutherland and she arrived with an entourage, bringing the membership up to 75. Barbara Creech, a young, talented pianist arrived as an accomplished Accompanist. Peter Griffith, a member of the choir, became Helen Sutherland's assistant and while she was away from time to time, he took over directing. After many years as Musical Director, Helen decided to take a permanent break to spend more time with her family and to go on to other projects. Thus, there came a time when a Musical Director was once again required. We invited Saundra Vandenberg to take over the choir; fortunately she accepted.

The objectives of the Nepean Songsters are to enjoy singing, fellowship and performing when and where requested, with special emphasis on the Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre. The Nepean Songsters have presented numerous concerts and sing–outs, always conscious of the right venue, time, date, music and costs for seniors. The original nine members, with help from their friends, brought the Nepean Songsters to the present 65 beautiful voices, who are always well received at sing–outs and various other performances. They are usually invited back!

From: Vera Collier, The HUB, July and August, 2008