Seniors’ Choral Festival returns to Morinville after several-year absence

By Haylee Winger
The voices of nearly 150 singers filled St. Jean Baptiste Church on May 8 as the Senior Choral
Festival returned to Morinville for the first time in several years. The annual non-competitive
and non-denominational event had been absent from the community following the COVID-19
pandemic and the loss of the church in 2021.
Choirs from across Central Alberta gathered for the festival, which rotates between participating
communities each year. Morinville previously hosted the 32nd annual Seniors’ Choral Festival in
2011 as part of the town’s centennial celebrations.
This year’s participating choirs included the Barrhead Versatile Choir, Westlock MerryMakers,
Sturgeon Unity Singers, Bonnyville Tuneagers, Fort Assiniboine Voices and the Morinville
Minstrels. The festival theme was “Love,” with each choir performing up to four selections
throughout the afternoon.
Emcee Gerry Gaetz welcomed guests and performers before Simon Boersma offered greetings
on behalf of the Town of Morinville, sharing memories of his own experience singing in choir
during Grade 9.
Opening the performances was the Barrhead Versatile Choir, directed by Donna Strydhorst and
accompanied by Brenda Strydhorst and Lorette Borle. The long-running community choir, active
for more than 40 years, performed “Evergreen,” “You Light Up My Life,” “I’ll Never Find
Another You,” and “My Love.”
The Westlock MerryMakers, directed and accompanied by Evelyn Calkins, followed with
selections including “Annie’s Song,” “I Believe in Music,” and “My Heart Will Go On.” The
Sturgeon Unity Singers, under the direction of Cheryl Balaya and accompanied by Judy Loewen,
entertained the audience with “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “When Will I Be Loved,”
showcasing a repertoire that blends sacred and secular music.
The Bonnyville Tuneagers, directed by Sharon Sharun with accompanists Linda Klinger and
Linda Fewchuk, performed “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “Dream a
Little Dream of Me,” and “Take Up the Song.”
Fort Assiniboine Voices, an a cappella choir directed by Hedwig Betz, presented vocal-only
performances of “Galija,” “Greensleeves,” “Love Me Tender,” and “The Heartbeat of the Sea.”
Closing the afternoon was the Morinville Minstrels, directed by Carol Kaup and accompanied by
pianist Jean Storey. Their set included “The Rose,” “A Little Peace,” “I Just Called to Say I Love
You,” and “When I’m Sixty-Four.” The choir is well known in the community for performances
at local events, care homes and seasonal celebrations, including the Morinville Lite Up the Park
Festival.

Throughout the afternoon, many audience members sang along quietly and reflected on
memories connected to the music. Organizers and attendees expressed appreciation for seeing the
festival return to Morinville once again.
Gaetz described the festival as the beginning of many future celebrations in the community.
Thanks were extended to the Morinville Seniors’ Rendez Vous Centre, St. Jean Baptiste Church
and the Town of Morinville for supporting the event. The festival will move to Bonnyville next
year as part of its annual rotation among participating communities.