Who we are
Valleyview Male Chorus had its beginning in 1997 as a small chorus of 15 members from Valleyview Mennonite Church with Henry Boldt as the conductor and Clare Jantzi as pianist (1997 – 2004). It was formed with the intent of being part of a worship service at the church. However, the interest of its members was such that it continued with rehearsals and performed a spring concert in 1997. In 1999, the first two non-Valleyview members joined the choir with others joining in subsequent years. After 6 years the choir had grown to 26 members, within 10 years to 35, and currently is approaching 50. Approximately half the members are from outside London, some as far east as Kitchener and as far west as Dutton. The choir has thus evolved from a church choir into a community choir with representation from a broad spectrum in terms of age, experience, musical interest and denominational affiliation. The ages of the choir members spans 6 decades, from their 30's to their 80's with some having sung in choirs for more than 60 years and others for whom this is their first choir experience. The goal of the choir is to provide an opportunity for men of all ages to sing, but further, to provide a community where friendship can flourish and where support and caring for each other happens.
Over the years, the musical competence of the choir has increased under the conductorship of Henry, Kim and choral workshops with Dr. Carol Beynon. The repertoire of the choir encompasses a range of music from gospel to classical, from folk to contemporary. Larry Nickel, a Canadian composer from Vancouver, has been commissioned to write several pieces for the choir. At our annual concert (first Saturday in June), we seek to feature young, local musicians such as Central Secondary School Strings, Cameron Crozman, Janelle Timmermans, Celine Murray, Keaton Rutherford, Primus, Laurier Chamber Choir, El Sistema South London, Renee Nikkel and Nathan Glacjh .
Aside from our annual spring concert, the choir has been part of various fund raising events as well as performing for a variety of other functions in the London community and beyond. We are open to further opportunities for participation in worship services, celebrations, special events and fund-raising.
Our Founder
Henry Boldt received his Honours Bachelor of Music from the Faculty of Music, University of Western Ontario. Before his retirement he was the music department head at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School in London where he taught instrumental music for 30 years. Henry has conducted church choirs in Niagara and in London, has been involved as a Board member with the London Youth Symphony, instructor and organizer of the London Youth Symphony Young String program and is one of the founding members of the London Community Orchestra.