Feature

The

€ Review Wednesday, June 13, 1990 —

swan song for choir director |

Amid tears and tributes, Saanich
District Youth Choir director
Michael Witter sang for the last
time with the choir Wednesday.

Witter, who retires from school
district 63 at the end of this month,
founded the choir 17 years ago. In
recognition of his volunteer ser-
vice to the group, he was presented
with a plaque naming him a life
member.

“Obviously I’m going to have
many fond memories. It’s been
incredibly inspirational. It’s a
wonderful thing to do,” he said.

Part of the inspiration has come
from the accompanists, Pat
Shumka and Pat Robertson and
part from the many parent volun-
teers.

But most of the inspiration has
come from the students, Witter
said.

“One of the benefits was work-
ing with a group of young people
who are doing something because
they want to be doing it,” he said.

From the first year Witter was
astounded by the student support
for the choir

He had started a choir at Cor-
dova Bay Elementary in the late
1960s while working as vice-
puincipal at the school.

‘We thoughi this
would last for a few
years and then fhe

novelty will wear
off and the

Children will drift

away’

When he was transferred to
Beaver Lake-Prospect Lake school
as principal, the students feared
they would lose their choir. So
Witter, in consultation with the
district music director, decided to
Start a district choir.

In the fall of 1972 he invited
Grade 5, 6 and 7 students in
schools throughout District 63 to
join the choir.

He received 365 applications.

“We had no idea that we were
going to get overwhelmed with
students applying,” Witter said.

Auditions were held and 90
students chosen for the choir

Although the students did not
have to read music, Witter said
they had to have some singing
ability since the choir only met
once a week and there was no time
for extensive coaching.

For the first few years the choir
Stayed at 90 members, then was
gradually reduced to 70 to 75
students.

“We thought this was a stop
gap, Witter said. “We thought
this would last for a few years and
then the novelty will wear off and
the children will drift away.”

Instead, the children kept com-
ing. Students did not want to leave
the choir as they grew older, so the
age range was gradually expanded
to includes Grades 5 to 12.

Each year there have been more
applications than places available
on the choir.

Over the years the choir has
performed at local schools, in
shopping centers, for churches,
community groups, charitable
organizations and service clubs.

The students have joined in
concert with other local choirs,

“Luxury living in a natural setting”
a unique blend of 75 adult orientated carriage
homes nestled throughout 75 acres of manicured

and prestine parkland.

OPEN DAILY 10-5
1255 Wain Road, Sidney 655- ditt

aie z

Over 7 5” §
Sold
Choice Locations!
Now Selling

in our eS
ord & Final Sees

performed in music festivals and
been chosen for honor perform-
ances.

They were also chosen to per-
form in the Plaza of Nations
during Expo °86.

Each spring the choir has gone
on tour, performing in communi-
ties throughout B.C, in Washing-
ton and in Oregon.

Witter said the choir gives the
Students a chance to learn choral
music and provides a service to the
community.

Behind the performances were
hundreds of hours donated by
parents and other choir volunteers,
Witter said.

To his job as director he brought
experience as a brass musician, a
love of music and a heritage of
choral music.

His grandfather was choral
director at Acadia University in
Nova Scotia.

“I guess I inherited it from
him,” he said.

For the past three years he has
been principal of Sansbury-
McTavish School in North Saa-
nich. He has worked in the district
since 1965.

SINGING ONE LAST SONG
with the Saanich District
Youth Choir is retiring
director Michael Witter
def). Witter was honored
during a farewell sd
performance of the choir
at Cordova Bay
Elementary school | 4
Wednesday.

&
2499 Beacon Ave., Sidney,
V8L 1X9 656-331
&
Graduating
Class of 1990!
a
4

In appreciation for your
support this last 2 years.
Big O Tires offers you

Service Cenfre in-store specials.

TIRE SALE
BUY 3 - GET 4

Premium A/S Steel belted
radials. Includes light truck,
and 4x4 tires too!

3 FREE BRAKE INSPECTION
+ FREE RADIATORICOOLING SYSTEM CHECK

CAA

We offer complete
mechanical services

24 hour

Emergency
Roadside Tire Service

LUBE SPECIAL

Includes up to 4 litres
premium motor oil,

oil filter, check

all levels, belts, etc.
Expires June 30, 1990.

90

most
makes

WAKEFIELD & HOLMES TIRE LTD.

9820 -
SIDNEY

th STREET

699-4212