Goulbourn Male Chorus Sings at City Council Meeting Posted Jul 19, 2012By John Curry
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Goulbourn Male Chorus sings at city council meeting Posted Jul 19, 2012By John Curry 1 Click to Enlarge Courtesy of Georgie Gosham-Hamer Goulbourn Male Chorus members who sang the opening O Canada at Ottawa city council's meeting on Wednesday, July 11 who are with city of Ottawa Stittsville ward councillor Shad Qadri, far left, front, and city of Ottawa mayor Jim Watson, far right, front, are, from left, front row, Leo Mevel, John McGinn, Bob Goudie, Norm Arsenault and director Robert Dueck, and, from left, back row, Bill Horsman, Christian Brydges, Don Snyder, Tom Kobolak and Art van Draanen. EMC news - Voices from Goulbourn filled the city of Ottawa temporary council chambers at Ben Franklin Place on Wednesday, July 11. It was a time of excitement, joy and pride as a contingent from the Goulbourn Male Chorus, dressed in what is becoming the Chorus' trademark of white shirts and Ontario tartan ties, was on hand to sing the national anthem at the opening of the council meeting. "We stood tall and proud as our voices filled the meeting room with a heartfelt, resounding rendition of O Canada," recounts Goulbourn Male Chorus director Robert Dueck in describing the experience. "Our united voices allowed us to express our collective pride in being a Canadian citizen," he adds. "It appeared that this collective pride was shared with all who were in attendance." Mr. Dueck also notes that the singing was well received and appreciated. He also notes that the introduction of the group by city of Ottawa Stittsville ward councillor Shad Qadri was much appreciated by the Chorus as was the opportunity to meet city of Ottawa mayor Jim Watson. The Goulbourn Male Chorus group, which consisted of ten singers including director Dueck, sang O Canada a cappella. Members of the Goulbourn Male Chorus who were at the meeting were Art van Draanen, Bill Horsman, Bob Goudie, Christian Brydges, Don Snyder, John McGinn, Leo Mevel, Norm Arsenault, Tom Kobolak and Mr. Dueck. Each member of Ottawa city council gets the opportunity at least once a year to invited a singer or singing group to a meeting of Ottawa city council to sing the opening O Canada. Councillor Qadri invited the Goulbourn Male Chorus when his turn came up this time. Ottawa city council was meeting at Ben Franklin Place in Nepean last week because of renovation work being done at its regular meeting area at Ottawa city hall. The Goulbourn Male Chorus was established in Sept. 2010. Director and founder Robert Dueck's passion for traditional secular and sacred choral music sparked a desire to begin a male chorus in the community. The Goulbourn Male Chorus is a community-based chorus made up of men from Goulbourn and other western Ottawa communities. The Chorus will be starting its regular weekly practice sessions and preparing for its Christmas-time concerts and appearances beginning in September. [email protected] .