Stratford Times Dect ember 13, 2024 Singing for the joy of it in Stratford GARY WEST Times Correspondent Sing for the Joy of It’s Christmas con- cert was one not to be missed this year. The choir, which takes in singers from all over Stratford and outlying areas, is di- rected by artistic director, Dan Van Wind- en, who is also the full time music director at Avondale. During the Christmas concert Dec. 3 and 4, Van Winden was accompanied on the piano by Karen Remple, and the con- cert also featured guest brass musicians Chris Adair, Dianne Doig, Tom Garrick, Lawrence Gauvin, Steve Gruchy and Da- vid Manning. The huge choir, which numbered 155 singers, sang many familiar Christmas carols and holiday tunes in two- and three- part harmony, which filled the beautiful and acoustically pleasing church. The church was filled for two nights of evening performances which was a fol- low-up to an extremely successful musical extravaganza back in the spring. The choir, which was formally known as the County of Perth Community Choir, was formed in 2012 under the direction of Paul Coates and continued under his musical guidance with Carol Carter as ac- companist until 2020 when the pandemic shut things down. Until then, the choir rehearsed and per- formed concerts each December and Ma at Knox Presbyterian Church in Stratford as a way of sharing joy with the commu- nity. In 2023 after a three-year hiatus, it was time to sing again and more than 150 peo- ple registered. Rehearsals began Jan. 17 under the direction of Van Winden. The premise of the choir is simple. Ev- eryone is welcome to come as they are and sing for the joy of it. There are no auditions, there’s no fund- raising and it doesn’t matter if members can read music, or if they’ve never been in a choir before. The group gathers to sing for joy with other likeminded people who are ready to support one another along the way. The choir’s next concert featuring pop- ular music of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s will run on Tuesday, June 3 and Wednesday, June 4. Watch for tickets to go on sale in Anyone interested in joining them for their next term and practice beginning Jan. 7, 2025, can contact Leslie Boland or Kathy Pearson by emailing singforthejoy- ofit@gmail.com. A total of 155 singers with the Sing for the Jy of it choir “Swinging into Christmas” last week for two nights of shows at Avondale United Church in Stratford. Sing for the Joy of it artistic director Dan Van Winden is seen last Thursday evening intro- ducing one of many Christmas songs at Avondale United Church in Stratford. Community of Christ Church raises money for Stratford-Perth Museum with monthly breakfast GARY WEST Times Correspondent Members of the Community Of Christ Church on Forman Avenue in Stratford of- fer a free, full community breakfast, eggs and all, the last Sunday of every month in the church hall, with donations going to various local non-profit organizations. This month, hundreds of dollars raised went to support programs at the Strat- ford-Perth Museum. General manager of the museum Kelly McIntosh was happy to see so many peo- ple coming in to get their warm, filling meal all while reconnecting with friends, family and neighbours. RAISING SIGNIFICANT FUNDS Cooks with the Community of Christ Get Cracking breakfast club are shown after serving sausage, eggs, pancakes, porridge and toast along with coffee, tea and juice to anyone who came out for the monthly fundraiser breakfast. All donations this month went to She said the museum was incredibly moved by the experience and was glad to witness the church members and friends raising significant funds for the museum. She said the museum will do its best to pay it forward. McIntosh said upcoming events at the museum include Rod Beatty‘s one-man performance of “A Christmas Carol, six shows in total in December, and the launch of a new “Tales and Trails” book on the museum trails in partnership with the Stratford Public library. She added residents can find out more about these details on the museum website or by emailing kelly@stratfordperthmuse- um.ca. (KAYLA VELDMAN PHOTO) support the continued work and programs at the Stratford-Perth Museum. Pictured in front from left are church elder Gary Goulding and museum manager Kelly Mcintosh. In the back from left are McKenna Veldman, Dan Veldman, shaw, Mike Van Straaten, Kayla Veldman, Sally Scott Graham, Robert Smith, Scott Brook- Van Straaten and church Pastor Nancy Brookshaw holding granddaughter Collins Howard. WHITER SMILES DENTAL paeran HYGIENE CLIN i= aa Loe ic te