Tay Valley Community Choir Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Apr 30, 2025

The Maberly Hall was filled with music on Friday, April 25 celebrating the 20^th Anniversary of the Tay Valley Community Choir.  The hall was decorated with large number 20’s and concert posters from over the years.  Towncrier Paddy O’Connor welcomed audience members at the door then he began the concert with his bell and a very loud “Oyey! Oyey!”  The choir was on stage with their books in front of their faces.  Director Rebecca Worden, knew the first song was to begin but could not get the choirs attention.  Undaunted, pianist Mary Lou Carroll began to play the song “Celebration” and at the correct moment, the books came down and the choir shouted “Yahoo!  It’s a celebration!”  From then on the choir was focused on the director and beautiful songs with lovely harmonies rang out.

Susan Freeman, former Tay Valley councillor told how the choir began 20 years ago.  Past directors of the choir were there to direct one of their favourite songs from the past.  Nicola Oddy, first director, led the exciting song “Sail Away”, followed by third director Grace Armstrong leading “Hymn to Freedom” by Oscar Peterson.   Ann McMahon, second director who passed away last spring was honoured by the choir singing one of her favourite show tunes “One Day More”.  Near the end of the first half, a drunken fellow approached the choir and yelled that he could direct the choir.  “After all you just have to wave your arms around.”  Director Worden replied, “I’d like to see you try.”  At which point the drunk threw off his coat and hat to reveal director Jack Hurd.  He led the choir through “Please Remember” – a powerful and complex song written by Hurd. 

Following a short intermission, Fiddlers and Friends took the stage and played the Canadian fiddle tunes, Log Drivers Waltz, Stomping Tom Connors and his Lament.  The band then led “Something to Sing About” with the audience singing along enthusiastically.  The Fiddlers finished by playing Maple Sugar, a toe- tapping hand-clapping tune emblematic of Lanark County. 

The rest of the second half was filled with familiar songs, “The Long and Winding Road”, “Life is a Highway” and “I Could Have Danced All Night”.  Dayna Clark, one of the original child singers now 20 years older, sang the opening solo in “Over the Rainbow”.  The audience got to sing along with “Sing, Sing a Song” and “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing”.  Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” ended the program with the audience joining in on the chorus. 

At the end of the evening, former choir members in the audience joined the choir on stage for a photo. Reeve Rob Rainer, original choir members Sally Angle, Marily Seitz and Nicola Oddy cut the beautiful anniversary cake.  Cake and other refreshments were shared and the hall was abuzz with happy voices celebrating the Tay Valley Community Choir 20^th anniversary.