Robert Wood Singers celebrating 50th year
Anniversary gala and reunion of choir members next month in the Rose City
The Robert Wood Singers are celebrating 50 years at its spring concert and a reunion gala next month.
Robert Wood started the group in March 1968 with just 18 members. It has since grown to fluctuate at about the 40-member mark.
He had been working on a production with Port Colborne Operatic Society as the music director. People who took part in that production were interested in staying together and he agreed to take them on.
Wood said he directed his group until 2000, when he retired for the first time. He came back a few other times to direct, but because of health issues gave the position up for good.
He retired for the final time in 2012, a decision he said was difficult for him.
“I decided to retire officially and that’s a tough thing to do.
You look at all you’ve been through over the last 50 years and there are memories that will never leave you,” he said.
Brian White is one of the original members of the Robert Wood Singers. He said he felt the group was at its best when it was doing
productions.
While the first 12 years comprised singing repertoire, the group added full-scale productions for a period starting in 1980.
The productions, written by Wood, included choreography, costumes and all the other makings of a play. The productions included “We’re A Little Bit Country” and “Canada Meets Broadway.”
Darlene Oord, who has been the accompanist for the group since the mid-’70s, said the productions were always fun. She’s also enjoyed the camaraderie of the group and said they still welcome new members.
The group has a list of other accomplishments as well, including recording records, travelling to England, having a singing group for youth called The Wood Kids and raising funds for various causes, such as hospitals and the Salvation Army.
The group celebrated Canada 150 last year with a show and performed at Welland’s celebrations on July 1.
Now the singers are looking forward to the anniversary gala on Sunday, May 27, at Croatian National Home in Welland. The event will be a reunion for people who were once involved with the group as well as their friends and family. That starts at 5 p.m. Oord said people can get tickets, costing $45, from her by calling her at 905-899-1630 or by emailing darlene.oord@bell.net.
Earlier in the afternoon on the same day, the public is invited out to the group’s spring concert at Sacré Coeur church in Welland.
Deanna Schaus, the current director who’s been with the group since 1980, said it’s aptly called The Music Never Ends. The concert is divided into two parts of solo, duet, trio and group performances from current and past members.
Tickets for that are available in advance or at the door, $15 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under. That concert begins at 2 p.m.