13th annual Chorus Niagara sing-a-thon serenades Welland

Welland ‘a joy’ says Chorus Niagara’s artistic director.

 

The Chorus Niagara Children’s Choir performed in the 

13^th annual sing-a-long fundraising event at the Seaway Mall on February 8, 2019.

Audiences were treated to an auditory delight as Chorus Niagara performed for five hours during their 2019 sing-a-thon fundraiser on Saturday. The fundraiser took place at the Seaway Mall, and artistic director, Robert Cooper, says performing in Welland is always a pleasure.

“Coming to Welland is a joy,” Cooper says. “The Seaway Mall is where it all started…where we did our famous Hallelujah flash mob.”

In 2010 Chorus Niagara performed Handel’s “Hallelujah” chorus in Alphabet Photography’s Christmas Flash Mob in the Seaway Mall’s food court which was posted to Youtube.

“Over-night it became a huge viral success. And it’s now past 55 million hits on youtube; more than Justin Bieber,” Cooper told an enthusiastic crowd in between performances.

(watch the 2010 Chorus Niagara flash mob performance at Seaway Mall in Welland here)

The sing-a-thon raises money for Chorus Niagara’s activities, main stage concerts and Cooper says chorus members were responsible for raising a minimum of $350 each by collecting pledges. He says the goal for the event is to raise $50,000.

“The generosity of the people of Niagara is wonderful. Our audiences have tripled since moving to the (First Ontario Performing Arts Centre). We went from performing in churches to a whole new level in a hall. And, in my mind, we’re an arts organization equal to a symphony.”

Cooper says Chorus Niagara is dedicated to the community and strives for excellence.

“It is an occasion for an audience when they come to a concert hall. It is an event. Our members do more than participate. We perform great music. We inspire people. People are touched by the music. We want precision and excellence. Our quality of level of standard allows the music to speak.”

Chorus Niagara has about 100 auditioned members, and is part of “a family of choirs” that also includes Chorus Niagara Children’s Choir, the Side-by-Side High School Chorale, and the Robert Cooper Choral Scholars Program.

The sing-a-long featured performance by the Chorus Niagara Children’s Choir and also showcased many special guest conductors from the community.

Read it at the St. Catharine's Standard here