Choral Delights Come Alive in Verona

Kelli McRobert | Nov 30, 2022

Music, much like food, can transport you to another time and place. It can bring forth an emotion from days gone by or a longing for what lies ahead. This past weekend, there were plenty of events that residents could choose to attend including vendor markets, parades, and meals.

I headed down to the Grand Theatre to participate in Choir, Choir, Choir, where the audience sings under the guidance of two witty gents who lead you through a variety of practice choruses before the actual filmed ‘masterpiece’ is captured for Facebook. It was great fun and a sold-out event with over 650 participants chanting out various verses from hits from the 80s. If you love to sing in groups, you may want to check them out the next time they come to Kingston.

On Sunday, the Trinity United Church welcomed a full house as guests filled the pews and additional chairs had to be added to accommodate the crowd that was eagerly awaiting the Christmas performance of the Frontenac Women’s Chorus (FWC). The chorus itself began approximately 25 years ago and is the longest running women’s chorus and the first to be established in Kingston. It only accepts 35 singers that range in age from 18 -80 years old, and who practice weekly to hone their skills. The choir meets on Monday nights, at the church, in preparation for their annual events varying from 2-5 performances based on their invitations to perform at other venues and with partnering groups. Their classic black outfits are accented with just a pop of colour to set the tone.

The church itself sits in the heart of Verona. It’s solid red brick exterior stands tall and proud and is the rebuild of the frame structure that was destroyed due to fire in 1910. The building itself having been established originally in 1886. Stained glass windows emit a festive glow across the guests as the choir takes their place, centre stage, and keenly observes the guiding hands of their Director Stella Terhart. Stella has a long history of music and accomplishments and has since taken over from Patti Smith to lead the ’all’ female choir.

The MC, Richard Worsfold, kept the guests entertained with his quick humour and brief explanations of the songs, themes, and stories which kept the mood light and festive, as we were treated to musical delights, some familiar and some not. The pianist, Kate VanAllen, along with Christine (her daughter), would accompany the singers with the tempo of piano and flute. There were a few old classics like ‘Silver Bells’, ‘Christmas Waltz’, and a wickedly modified version of ‘the 12 Days After Christmas’ that floated across the exposed beams of the acoustically appropriate church ceiling. Each singer held up a comedic prop to highlight the play on words that enhanced the performance, ten-fold!

There was a comfort sitting amongst a community to enjoy the music, social outing, and companionship that has been lacking for the past few years.

The walls were adorned with hand made decorations and a quick random draw soon revealed who, amongst the pews, would be lucky enough to take one home as a parting gift. 6 lucky winners could choose a lovely bough fully adorned with a festive hand made decoration. Free will offerings and donations of food were gathered to help support the church, the choir (sheet music etc…), and the local food bank.

All concerts managed by the FWC are free of charge for their guests. A few of the younger crowd fidgeted while the performance unfolded, unaware that this will be a memory, a moment spent with family, and years from now may strike a ‘chord’ (pun intended), reminiscent of a time they headed to church or could touch, hug, or be with those they loved.

Annual traditions in the making. Simple pleasures, shared.

As I surveyed the room, each song stirred an emotion for me, as I could see it did in others. Reflective, toe tapping, comforted, nostalgic….the ebb and flow of the spirit of the season.

As I mentioned before, music and food, can truly bring people together and elicit a reaction, some positive, some perhaps negative….for me, a few of the traditional sounds had me briefly well up….not quite a tear, but I did see across the way a women begin to dab the corners of her eyes, perhaps remembering those dearly departed or truly feeling the power of the note, the energy, the passion as the music took us through our own private journey. Personal, shared, yet truly unique.

As the 1-hour performance wrapped up, thanks were given to the volunteers, and a few special folks that helped to make the gathering a success. Everyone was invited to take home a small treat wrapped up in festive fare.

Thank you to the organizers of the event. It was a fantastic start to the holiday season. The chorus is still looking for more singers. You do not need to be a professional singer; however, it is hoped that you can carry a tune.

For more information you can email Stella at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.