M’CHIGEENG—Choral music remains vibrant on Manitoulin Island and never more so than on Monday, May 1 as Island Singers joined the Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) Choir in bringing a spring concert, ‘Music is Our Medicine,’ to the MSS stage.
The event provided a captivating evening of musical entertainment, as The Island Singers under the direction of conductor Chris Theijsmejier, and the MSS Choir under the direction of conductor (and music teacher) Matt Fowler, combined to craft an unforgettable program.
The evening’s presentations included solo performances by Mike McCormick (of comedy group Arrogant Worms fame) on guitar, who brought a hilarious interlude with his composition ‘Surprise Song’; the traditional English ballad ‘Fare Thee Well’ was performed by Ethan Theijsmeijer on guitar; and Fredrick Chopin’s Nocturne in C# minor was performed with elegance, delicacy and poise by MSS student Mason Animikwan.
Following Mason’s performance, the audience sprang to its feet in spontaneous ovation. Mason initially appeared somewhat taken aback by the audience reaction, then, upon recovering his poise immediately began to deflect the audience toward the other evening performers.
The evening began with The Island Singers performing a traditional spiritual ‘Wade in the Water’ with Arik Theijsmeijer and Mike McCormick on piano. Conductor Theijsmeijer explained at the beginning of the four-song set that many of the traditional songs first sung in the southern US, had double meanings encompassing both spiritual and underground railroad missives for the enslaved seeking freedom. Filling out the set were ‘The Glory Train,’ ‘Cat’s in the Cradle’ and ‘Four Strong Winds’ (written by Canadian roots icon Ian Tyson), the latter two choral arrangements were by Canadian Larry Nickel of Cyprus Choral Music Fame.
The MSS Choir then took to the stage, with a rendition of Ben Pasek and Justin Paul’ ‘A Million Dreams’ complete with solos by Taylor Goodfellow and Cameron Meawasige, followed by Pinkzebra’s popular graduation song ‘I am Still Your Dreamer,’ closing with the jazz classic ‘Choo Choo Ch’Boogie’ as arranged by Kirby Shaw.
The Island Singers then split into smaller groups, with the women performing Rodgers and Hammerstein classic ‘I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair’ to hilarious effect, followed by a Jane Best arrangement of the traditional tune ‘The Lacemaker’s Song.’ Mr. Theijsmeijer informed the audience that Ms. Best originally devised the choral work in honour of her friend Tini Pell. The men then assembled in line to deliver a nicely choreographed rendition of Tobin Stoke’s ‘Hunker Down.’
The Island singers consisted of sopranos Lydia-Ann Burlein, Annalee Cooper, Michele Cooper, Emily Deegan, Wendy Gauthier, Laura Hunter, Pirkko Lewis, Kirsten Nelson, Holly Scott and Heather Theijsmeijer; altos Cecilia Baumann, Maya Baumann, Donna Beam, Helen Eade, Barbara Grigg, Lianne Hovingh, Ramona Jaggard, Stephanie Steele and Willa Wilson; tenors Peter Gordon and Dick Maloney; bass Ray Baumann, Roger Brazil, John Diebolt, Chris Litster, Arik Theijsmeijer and David Williamson; accompanist Mike McCormick and conductor Chris Theijsmeijer.
The Manitoulin Secondary School Choir consisted of Phoebe Aeschlimann, Mason Animikwan, Garret Charboneau, Divine Commanda, Ben Dewar, Taylor Goodfellow, Zack Hill, Katelyn Lentir, Hannah McDonald, Robyn-Ashley McNaughton, Cameron Meawasige, Faer O’Leary, Lydia Pennings, Georgia Roy, Ella Tasse, Novella Therrien and conductor Matt Fowler.
A short intermission was provided, with a snack table fundraiser for the choir who are travelling to Toronto and performing in front of the legislature.
Following the aforementioned solo musical performances, the Island Singers reunited and accompanied by Sonya Mulder on violin, brought ‘Windy Nights’ followed by ‘Lacrimosa’ (from Mozart’s ‘Requiem) and Haydn’s ‘Gloria.’
The two choirs then reassembled for a combined effort on ‘Over the Rainbow’ and “What a Wonderful World,’ with Mr. Fowler on standup bass. This number included a trio of Melanie Hunt, Ethan and Kirsten Nelson on ukelele.
The choirs closed out the evening with ‘For the Beauty of the Earth’ by Folliott Sandford Pierpoint and John Rutter and were rewarded with a standing ovation.
