DIANN BUTT (Chair)

Diann has lived and worked in the Peterborough area for over 32 years and been active in Community Life, as well as being a member of Calvary Pentecostal Church. She has served as a Financial Advisor with her company for 20 years and loves interaction with people. The Community Carol Sing was sparked by a Christmas Concert event in Toronto. The  question, “Why can’t we have this in Peterborough?”  We can! It has been a privilege to chair this event and work with such talented people. Our Christmas traditions are a precious gift, and this is one way of celebrating Christmas with Singing and Giving.

 

 

GILES BRYANT

Giles is the former Director of Music at All Saints Anglican in Peterborough. He was assistant organist at St. George's College in Weybridge, Surrey, UK as well as at St. James' Spanish Place, London, before emigrating to Canada in the late 1950s. He has served as organist and choir director at many churches such as Grace Church-on-the-Hill, St Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, St Mary Magdalene Anglican Church, Toronto as well as being organist-choirmaster sat Massey College, Trinity College in the University of Toronto as well as Upper Canada College. For many years Giles has conducted the Toronto Star Annual Carol Concert in St. Paul's Anglican Church, Bloor Street East, Toronto.

 

DARLENE EWING

Darlene Ewing has been involved in the Peterborough Kiwanis Music Festival since moving to Peterborough in the early 1980’s; first as a competitor, then as a parent with her 4 children participating in Brass and piano classes, and now as the Secretary / Manager for the past 16 years.

Through involvement with the local Music Festival, Darlene has also become associated with the Provincial  Music Festival body ( OMFA) as a director, Treasurer and  coordinator for the recorded competitions, and also a member of the FCMF ( Federation of Canadian Music Festivals) body.

In other music related areas, Darlene has held the position of Junior Choir leader at the Salvation Army Peterborough Temple for 30 years, and remains musically active with the church. Since September of 2016, Darlene has ventured away from the Peterborough Singers and is now a charter member of an elite Salvation Army vocal ensemble, entitled The Canadian Staff Songsters, under the direction of Retired officer Major Len Ballantine.

For fun, some 30 plus years ago Darlene became a Charter Member of the Peterborough Symphony Singers with its seasonal Messiah concerts, then the group subsequently became the Peterborough  Singers.  Some years ago, a smaller group was formed out of  the Peterborough Singers to do more contemporary style music and that has become, under its director Barb Monaghan, the Peterborough Pop Ensemble,  of which Darlene is also a Charter member.

The Pop Ensemble are an active, diverse group which represent the City of Peterborough in many functions throughout the year.  They  have  January and April concerts, held at Market Hall and  participate in events such as Trent’s 50th  anniversary, birthday parties, World War II shows, Little Lake Music Fest, anthem performers for the Pete’s  and the Remembrance Day cenotaph service and ambassadors for the City of Peterborough.

Music; its discipline, its expression, satisfaction and excitement, has been an integral part of Darlene’s life.  To be able to enjoy the art, teach and train others to enjoy its value and to become open to the avenues that come around these many years, has indeed been a rewarding and worthwhile endeavour.

 

 

SHARON MEHEW

Sharon is a retired registered nurse having worked in the Operating Room at Peterborough Civic Hospital for close to twenty five years before retiring in 2000.  She is married to David & attends Ferndale Bible Church.  After retiring she joined the New Horizon Band & learned to play the tenor sax.

She has enjoyed attending the Community Carol Sing because of her love for the Christmas season & the joyful music that defines the reason for the season.  Since the ‘sing’ is the ‘community’ she felt impressed to offer to serve on the committee.  She is excited to be involved in this wonderful event.

 

BRAD PETERS

Rev. Brad Peters is the Senior Pastor at Murray Street Baptist Church. He has been part of the Murray Street community since August 2017. He comes to Peterborough after serving the church as pastor of churches in Niagara Falls and St. Catharines. Before answering the call to ministry, Pastor Brad worked as a journalist in Saskatchewan, Eastern Ontario and Niagara Falls … and continues that writing tradition with regular bi-weekly columns in Peterborough This Week. But the most important thing for you to know about Pastor Brad today is that he loves Christmas time and is delighted to participate in this special Christmas gathering!

 

 

DOUGLAS SCHALIN

Douglas Schalin has served as the Director of Music at St. Paul's Presbyterian in Peterborough since 2009. After studying at the Berlin Church Music School in Germany, he graduated with a Master of Music degree in organ performance at the University of Toronto. Douglas is well known in the church and music community in Peterborough, having been director of music at both Trinity United and St. Luke’s Anglican Church, as well as being a much sought-after accompanist for the Kiwanis Music Festival, presenting organ recitals and playing with The Peterborough Symphony.

 

 

GEORGE TURNER

George Turner is a retired Presbyterian minister, married to Evelyn with three children and five grandchildren in Peterborough and Ottawa. After graduating from the Universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Princeton Theological Seminary, George served the Church of Scotland in the churches of Greenbank and Palmerston Place as assistant, as well as Cranstoun, Crichton & Ford Church, near Dalkeith, Midlothian, as parish minister before moving to Canada in 1976 where he served for 10 years as the minister of Knox Presbyterian Church in Kincardine, Ontario. As minister of St. Paul's in Peterborough for 26 years, George was involved in the organisation of the Carol Sing when it was known as the Ecumenical Advent Service from 1998-2003 and is pleased to see this event continuing to bring the joyful music of Christmas to so many in our community.