The annual Christmas Cantata saw Holy Trinity United Church filled to near-capacity for the Dec. 9 event.
Organizer Ann Foy brought together the talents of her Cantata Choir and the Jewels of Harmony choir for the event titled “A Thrill of Hope,” which was narrated by Olivia dePencier-Foy. The Cantata raised $2,000 for palliative care in Elliot Lake and area.
Foy is a well-known musician, music teacher and conductor in the community. The audience heard the singing of several Christmas carols by the choirs individually and together and were invited to sing along for several more carols during the evening.
“I’m thrilled with the success of the Cantata,” Foy said of the event. “Every participant gave 100 percent.”
“(I’m) super excited to be able to donate $2,000 to Elliot Lake Palliative Care,” she added, referring to the service provided at St. Joseph’s General Hospital.
A similar Cantata held last year raised $2,000 toward a hospice suite at the hospital. Hospice care is a subject near to Foy’s heart.
For the Cantata she invited her sister Marg Winchester to talk about hospice care in Huntsville where she is from. Winchester said the community has a hospice residence for five people and sees its services filled to capacity throughout the year with about 100 clients annually.
The community raises $600,000 each year to keep the Huntsville home operating “in the black,” according to Winchester, with the province providing $400,000 annually.
Putting the production together each year takes some work, according to Foy.
“Watching a production of this size develop week by week is a cool experience… the final three weeks are my favorite, taking notes and words and adding all of the musical sparkle, and emotional punch,” she said. “That’s the part that makes such a difference.”
The money was raised through a goodwill offering during the Cantata.
Foy is now preparing for the inclusion of male singers in the Jewels of Harmony barbershop style music choir.
The plan is to add male singers to the all-women Jewels of Harmony on a six-month trial basis starting in January.
Men interested in trying out for the trial can contact Foy at Kathy’s Brew HaHa coffee shop where she works during the week or by calling 705-261-0415.