about the artistic director

from the artistic director

From the Artistic Director

I am going to do a little boasting: we are very proud to have reached the finals of 2004 CBC National Choral Competition. That puts us in the top two community choirs in the country!

Five things stand out in my mind about the coming season. First, in response to popular demand, we shall offer two performances of Handel's Messiah in Peterborough. Too often we have heard the comment "I tried to get tickets, but you were sold out." Spread the word - we have room for everyone. Secondly, we are delighted to move into new territory with internationally renowned Diva Soprano Natalie Choquette who joins us for our Valentine concert. I took in one of her shows recently, and I don't think I have ever laughed so hard, and at the same time been blown away by the technical brilliance of the singer. New territory in another sense too, as we take this concert to a new location, in the wonderful facilities of Calvary Pentecostal Church. Thirdly, it has been my desire for some time to offer the choir a chance to complete the J.S. Bach trilogy. We have sung two of these great masterpieces, St. Matthew Passion and the B Minor Mass, and this season it gives me great satisfaction to present the St. John Passion, with a stellar cast of soloists. Fourthly, our fundraiser to pay for the St. John has been generously taken on once again by Barb Monahan and the Peterborough Singers Pop Ensemble as they present Songs of World War II. And finally, the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra and the Peterborough Singers are proud to announce a joint performance of Dvorak's Stabat Mater. I have had a lot of fun working with PSO conductor Michael Newnham as we have put ploughed through the many details connected with this performance.

I would like to end with a personal thank you to the choir and the audience for allowing me the privilege of conducting one of Canada's finest choirs, The Peterborough Singers.

Sydney Birrell