The Centre Wellington Singers (CWS) are gearing up for their 20th Anniversary Concert.
The concert theme is Come Fly with Me, and features popular music from the 1920s to the 1980s. The concert will take place on April 30 at 3pm at Elora United Church, 75 Geddes Street.
The CWS’ choir director is Emily Petrenko and volunteer choir members come from Wellington County, Guelph and surrounding areas to lend their voices to the group for two concerts per year.
In addition to directing the CWS, Petrenko teaches elementary school music and drama, directs the Elora Youth Singers, and two choirs at St. John’s in Elora. She coaches private students in piano, voice, and music theory, and is a piano examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music.
Each summer Petrenko runs the Elora Festival Kids Camp in which children in Grades 2 to 8 produce a musical in five days. The choir is pleased to have Emily continue to direct its musical contribution to the Centre Wellington community, officials state.
The choir’s piano accompanist is Betty Weinstein, a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University who has experience in many genres such as ballet, musical theatre, church music and community choir. Weinstein was sole musician for the Elora Community Theatre production of Narnia.
Currently Weinstein is organist and choir director at Elora United Church.
The choir is pleased to welcome Louise Elder as a guest conductor, officials state. Prior to retiring, Elder directed the Centre Wellington Singers, a position she held for nine years.
Percussionist Dave Klassen will be adding his talents performing with the choir, as well as playing solos on the vibraphone. Carole Pines is also accompanying the choir with her tin flute. For tickets, or other information contact Dave Dougherty at 519-846-1049.
