OK boys, we’d better get out some chairs to place around the back of the sanctuary! The pews are nearly full and look at the people still coming in from the parking lot!
And so the men of the Grimsby Barbershop Chapter leapt to the task. Fifty portable chairs were placed at the back of the sanctuary of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grimsby to receive the overwhelming number of people who gathered for the fourth annual Benefit Concert organized by the Grimsby Barbershoppers and co-hosted by St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
The audience of nearly 500 people, including some 100 performers was entertained with a non-stop ninety minute production by some of the finest musicians in the Grimsby area, all of whom gladly donated their talents. This year the entertainers included two secondary school ensembles, an elementary school choir, an English Hand Bell Choir, a local keyboard/guitar/singer and a world class bag piper as well as the Grimsby Barbershop Chorus.
This year’s benefit concert raised about 1050 pounds of food for the local food bank and $1450 for Niagara Second Stage Housing, a regional organization dedicated to assisting women in abusive situations. Over the last four years our Benefit Concert has raised nearly 3500 pounds of food for the food bank and $5000 for a variety of local service needs.
“So”, you are asking “How did this all start”?
That’s a great question.
About four years ago the Grimsby Barbershoppers were looking for a way to showcase their Christmas Music. For a number of years we have been singing for some local service clubs, our local hospital, senior’s homes and Downtown Carol Strolls during the Christmas Season.
We felt that something was missing. So, we created the concept of the Benefit Concert. Let us give our gift of music in order to encourage others to give to those who need assistance.
The response to our Benefit Concerts over the last four years has been delightfully gratifying. We continue to vary the entertainment every year. Besides the performers this year we have, in the past, featured musical gifts donated by a harmonica band, and other school choirs and local musicians. At the moment we have three groups ready to perform for the 2010 Benefit Concert. They were disappointed that we did not have enough time for them this year. This is so rewarding. We are especially indebted to West Niagara News for assisting us in the promotion of this event.
This event is quickly becoming the highlight of the Grimsby Chapter’s performance schedule each year.
The concert is held annually on the first Tuesday of December: our next concert is on Tuesday 7 December 2010. We look forward to seeing you share in this wonderful experience with us as an audience member. If you are interested in performing on our Benefit Concert, or are interested in joining our barbershop chorus, please contact Bob Pyper at 905-309-6195.
Look for our advertising next November under the heading of “Go Tell it on the Mountain”.
Yours in song … Bob Pyper
(Benefit Concert Chair)