By Kris Leonhardt
Editor-in-chief
ALGOMA – What began as a one-time music performance has turned into nearly a decade of sharing their work with the community for the Lakeshore Singers.
The group was founded in 2014 as the “Algoma Community Chorus” after being invited to enhance a civic band performance.
“I can’t recall the exact year, but I think it was about nine years ago that Mr. Tom Mueller, who at the time was the director of the Algoma Community Band asked me to put together a choir to perform a combined band and choir piece,” said Director David Robertson
“Tom had done me some favors as a musician including playing French Horn for the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association state men’s choir, trumpet for a few other performances etc… so of course I agreed.”
Robertson put the word out that he was looking for singers to perform a piece with the community band.
“When the date came, I had about 15 community members show up, and we got to work for the one-time concert,” he recalled.
“It was a great experience so we decided to keep things going and with the exception of the COVID years, and a year I took off to do some continued education, the choir has been active since.”
As singers from the Kewaunee area joined the group, the name was changed to the “Lakeshore Singers.”
“We grow and shrink by a handful of singers each concert, but basically we hover between 15-20 (members),” Robertson explained.
“We typically perform two or three times a year. Because we only meet on a weekly basis, it takes us a few months to put together music for a concert.”
Their concerts
The chorus continues to perform standalone events, as well as collaborative concerts with the Algoma High School, Badgergrass and Door County Community Choir, performing music across many genres.
Their next concert will be held Sunday, May 7 at the Corpus Christi Catholic Parish, 811 W. Juniper St., Sturgeon Bay.
“One of their selections, ‘Ave Vérum,’ will be a world premiere composed by Terrence Niska,” a Lakeside Singers release stated.
“Mr. Niska, a prolific composer, is a friend and frequent collaborator with Lakeshore Singer’s accompanist Mr. Michael Swedberg. “Mr. Niska, a resident of the twin cities in Minnesota, plans to be in attendance. Concertgoers will have an opportunity to meet him during the fellowship time following the concert.”
Robertson said that the group is ultimately there for those who like to share music for the generosity of the public.
“Our purpose is to provide a space for anyone in the area interested in singing beautiful music together to do so. We also enjoy sharing our work with our community,” added Robertson.
“I would love to have more like 30-40 so if anyone is interested, please come join us on Sunday afternoons at 4 p.m. in the Algoma High School Choir room.”
For more information, email Robertson at [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/singerslakeshore.