Director and AccompanistThe Musical Director of the Nepean
Songsters is Saundra Vandenberg grew up in a musical family and credits her mother as her inspiration and mentor. Saundra’s musical accreditations began with the Royal Conservatory of Music and branched out to teaching piano and accompanying vocalists, instrumentalists and choirs. Evidence of her innate talents, Saundra was, at the early age of 12, a choir accompanist and at 16 had increased this commitment to three choirs.
As her experiences widened beyond classical music, she became one of the founding members of “Plus Six in Song”, a music hall entertainment group, where she served as director and accompanist. “Plus Six in Song” was an important part of the Ottawa, Ontario, entertainment scene for over 13 years. For Saundra these years were joyful. She loved to entertain and these years provided her with experience in another musical genre. Another challenge that Saundra enthusiastically embraced was the involvement in the student music program at South Carleton High School, Richmond, Ontario. There she assisted with the concert choir in both directing and accompanying for festivals, concerts and competitions. The choir won numerous awards competitively in Ontario and through to the Nationals in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Currently Saundra is the organist/pianist for St. John the Baptist Anglican Church in Richmond, Ontario, where she recently participated in a fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (C.H.E.O.). Three years ago Saundra accepted the invitation to be the choir director for the Nepean Songsters. She has broadened the repertoire to include spirituals, Broadway, Canadian compositions, country, rock, sacred and popular music. Saundra has presented singers with interesting and audience friendly concert productions. The choir has flourished under her enthusiastic and creative leadership, not only in membership numbers but also in accepting new choral challenges. During her “spare” time, Saundra with her husband and son, operates Rideau Pines Farm and Market in North Gower, Ontario. As well as her busy music schedule, Saundra takes pleasure in her growing family of grandchildren The Accompanist of the
Nepean Songsters is Barbara Creech was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, and attended Laurentian High School. Her mother was a talented concert pianist as well as teacher. When Barbara turned seven she began formal piano lessons with her mother.
Later she studied, not only with her mother, but with other teachers of music for the advanced curriculum. During high school, Barbara progressed to grade 10 in the Royal Conservatory of Music, and, in fact, had her first piano students before graduation. Barb explored other interests including the Royal Canadian Navy Reserves and office work but continued developing as a piano teacher. In 1998 Barbara received a call from the Reverend George Morrison, one of the original members of the Nepean Songsters, asking if she was interested in becoming the Songsters' Accompanist. She agreed and over the past twelve years has become an important part of the choir. Barbara has found the volunteer job a challenge for both her playing skills and for learning a wide variety of music - from Bach to Broadway; Music Hall to Spirituals and beyond. She enjoys not only the contribution to the music field but also her involvement with a seniors group. She acknowledges that she has moved from being a children’s piano teacher to the world of show business. She is an asset to the Nepean Songsters! |
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