Passionate about choral music and making music accessible in the healthcare environment, The Peninsula Singers are returning to the Mary Winspear Centre this weekend for three shows.
Titled ‘That’s Entertainment!’, the three shows takes place on May 3 and 4 at 7:30 p.m. and on May 5 at 2 p.m.
“I try to do a great variety of music in styles and showcasing, from solo to small group,” Lena Palermo, Peninsula Singers’ artistic director, told Black Press Media.
The music appeals to a wide range of audiences as over the three nights, there will be 60 singers, 15-20 stage dancers, a live performance band, a comedic performance by Steve Iving and more. The choir has members from 20 years old to 90 years old, but will also bring in younger artists from the Spectrum Community School musical theatre program.
“The young artists are doing songs from School of Rock,” Palermo said.
According to Palermo, these singers have been rehearsing for months and joining forces with Saanich Peninsula Hospital Extended Care Unit. Over the group’s 40-year history, they have raised $57,000 for the Music Therapy Program of The Saanich Peninsula Hospital Healthcare Foundation. This year, they donated $2,500.
“There’s a reciprocity there with what the residents are getting, but also what the singers are getting, because they can see the joy in their faces,” Palermo said.
The choir performed a mini version of the show in the hospital’s extended care unit on April 25. It is the first time they were able to do that since the pandemic.
“To have a lot of our choir, be able to go in and spread joy and music for them is so special,” said Palermo
During their hospital visits, the singers perform various sing-along songs, including Sweet Caroline and Henry the Eighth.
“It also gives us a little pre-rehearsal…it’s nice because they’re such a lovely and giving audience.”
Tickets are available for all three nights at $35 for adults and $15 for children.
To purchase tickets, please visit www.marywinspear.ca or call
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