The History of the Grand River Chorus

The Grand River Chorus of Brantford is a mixed voice concert choir presenting an annual series of classical choral music. Richard Cunningham, Artistic Director of the Grand River Chorus since May 2004, has led the chorus to higher levels of achievement and recognition. The seventy voice choir prepares for its four major concerts each season by rehearsing Monday evenings. Occasionally the choir sings at community events and joins in performances sponsored by other groups in the community. The Grand River Chorus seeks every opportunity to raise the profile of choral music in the Brantford-Brant and Norfolk areas. It is a registered non-profit corporation supported through patron and community donations. Its own annual gala fundraiser, the Grand Fête du Vin, is most enjoyable, and has been successful in each of the past ten years.
 
The Grand River Chorus, now in its second decade, features its twelfth season, promising to be more exciting than ever. The Grand River Chorus was founded in early 1999 by Robert W. Phillips of Waterloo. He saw the need in Brantford for a recognized concert choir, envisioning one that would offer the community the major choral works of the great masters. Working with a nucleus of auditioned singers that first year, Maestro Phillips presented, with orchestra, the choir’s inaugural concert, the Mozart Requiem in the spring of 1999. In September of that year the choir launched its first full season of concerts; it included Handel’s Messiah in December, and the German Requiem, by Brahms in April 2000. Since then the choir has performed major concert works of the masters, Handel, Bach, Haydn, Brahms, and Mendelssohn, as well as the music of more contemporary composers such as John Paul Halley, Imant Raminsh, Eleanor Daley, and John Rutter. Original works by local and regional composers, including some by Richard Cunningham, have been introduced.
 
In its Ninth Season the Grand River Chorus produced its first CD, A Grand Christmas, participated in its first partnership venture with the Brantford Symphony Orchestra with the presentation of Haydn’s Creation, and presented its very first concert in Norfolk. The highlight of our eleventh season was our first ever tour to Europe, Following in the Footsteps of the Great Composers, where we sang in Germany, Czech Republic and Austria.
 
From its inception, the Grand River Chorus has performed to a high choral standard. Today, under artistic director Richard Cunningham, the chorus exists as a vital part of the arts in the Brant-Brantford-Norfolk area. The tireless efforts of its singers and conductor ensure that continued choral excellence is the driving force behind the success of the Grand River Chorus.
 

See further article: Brantford’s Rich Choral Tradition