Over 500 people have been involved with St. Peter’s Chorus since its inception in 1967.
Now 50 years later, some of those 500 members have gotten together to celebrate with two concerts and their anniversary banquet.
Current members got together for their first concert in Lanigan on April 28 at Knox United Church while April 30 saw the chorus return home to St. Peter’s Church in Muenster.
The group sang beautiful renditions of songs that have been sung in years past, even one going back to their first concert back in 1968 and even a new one that was just added to their repertoire. Some numbers were specifically chosen as tributes to the choir’s founding director, Al Gerwing who passed away in 2007.
The 48 member choir was joined by another 16 former members to form the Reunion Choir for the last four songs of their St. Peter’s performance.
The anniversary banquet on April 29 meant the return of a lot of old faces.
Current Director Maxine Moore, who has been directing full time since 1992, says it was a busy but wonderful weekend connecting with people she has not seen in years over happy hour and supper.
Some members even came out from as far as California and Ontario to join the choir for a special weekend.
Manny Lefebvre brought something special to the banquet with a video history of the choir, which was well appreciated by all, says Moore.
As well as speakers from the Saskatchewan Choral Federation and Abbot Peter Novecosky, Loretta Schugmann was presented with a special award for 50 years with the choir.
Schugmann grew up in a musical household around Muenster so continuing on with teaching, playing and singing just seemed right as she grew up.
Being invited to join the choir by Gerwing, Schugmann thought she would give it a try. Fifty years later she still finds her car points in the direction of rehearsals on Monday nights.
Being able to share in the celebration of 50 years has definitely been a highlight for Schugmann.
Lasting that long has been a wonderful achievement for the group, says Moore.
“Generally, groups like that tend to come and go with a person in the community that has an interest in directing, as opposed to a church choir because churches will always be there.”
People in the choir make it happen, says Moore, and these are the people that make her job directing easier, she says.
“I have all these people there that want to come and want to be a part of it.”
Singing is life skill with many benefits, says Moore, which is why they have various ages from 20-80 singing together in the choir.
With that mix also comes a strong future for the choir with no noted departures any time soon.
“We’re set to go for more years,” says Moore.
Schugmann says that she will be sticking with the choir as long as she can climb the risers to get to her spot.
