Winnipeg Male Chorus History

Winnipeg Male Chorus History
The history of the chorus may be traced back to the Men’s Music Club which started in 1916 with a male quartet. Over the years, membership has fluctuated around 30. In 1960, a men’s group assumed the name of Metro Male Chorus. In 1974, the choir took on the current name of Winnipeg Male Chorus. During these years the aim of the chorus has been to promote close rich four part harmony in a variety of choral genres.

From 1970 until 2004, the chorus was a member of The Associated Male Choruses of America which had a membership of about 57 choruses, Every year 18 male choruses from the Upper Mid-West District consisting of Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Saskatchewan, North-Western Ontario, and Manitoba would gather for a “Big Sing” . For three days, 500 men would make music together culminating in a final concert. Winnipeg hosted this event in April 1964, 1970, 1988, and 2000.

Although the chorus’s home is Winnipeg, the chorus regularly promotes musical events in Manitoba. In the past, weekend trips have been made to various Manitoba centres including Morris, Morden, Pilot Mount, Killarney, Souris, Brandon, Minnedosa, Thompson, MacGregor, Gladstone, Oakbank, Portage La Prairie, Steinbach, Gladstone Fairhome Colony, Beausejour, Dugald, Selkirk, Inwood, Grand Rapids MB, and Kenora (Ont).

Over the years, the Chorus has been professionally directed by talented musical directors. From 1960 to 1966, Barry Anderson conducted the Chorus. He was followed by Clayton Lee and Herbert Holland (1966-67), James Whan (1967-8), and Archie Stone (1968-77). Gordon McNabb (1980-1993), and Ann Koop-Hunsberger (1993- 2005). Helen Bergen assumed the directorship in 2005 and continues to provide energetic and enthusiastic leadership to the present time.

The Chorus has produced three recordings, namely "A Gift of Song”, “Sing Noel (2000)” and “You Raise Me up” (2009)