The 60’s

REGINA MALE VOICE CHOIR 1960 – 1969

Rapid scientific advancements were made in this decade along with technological progress and social change. John F. Kennedy was elected President of the U.S. Tragedy struck when he was assassinated in November 1963. A U-2 Spy plane was shot down over Russia. Construction of the Berlin Wall began in 1961. August 1963 – the Great Train Robbery in Britain. Beatlemania. The Miniskirt. Winston Churchill died in January 1965. Star Trek began its space journey. July 1969 saw the first man on the moon – Neil Armstrong followed closely by Ed Aldren. Michael Collins orbited the moon in the space capsule. Flower Power. Sesame Street.

The ’60’s saw some changes in musical leadership. Earnest A. Moore was the conductor from 1960 through to 1963. David Graham followed for two years, 1964 and 1965. 1966 saw Allen Wortman at the helm. William Otis lead the choir 1967 through 1970.

Annual Concerts and concerts-by-Request were held with a membership ranging from 63 in 1960 to 52 in 1969. Traditionally, Annual Concerts began at 8:15 pm. –

    • April 26,27 1960 F.N. Darke Hall with Helen Hajnik, Mezzo-soprano. –
    • April 10,11 1961 F.N.Darke Hall with Audrey Johannesen, Pianist.
    • May 1,2 1962      F.N.Darke Hall with Margaret Bartlett, Coloraturo Soprano. –
    • April 23,24 1963 Sheldon Williams Collegiate with Joan Bourne’ Smith, Concert Violinist. –
    • March 31, April 1 1964 Sheldon Williams Collegiate with

Catherine Vickers, Pianist and Nancy Greenwood, Contralto. –

    • April 9, 10 1965 F.N.Darke Hall with Donald Whyte, violinist. –
    • RMVC 1966
      March 30,31 1966 F.N.Darke Hall. with John R. Harding ,Trumpeter. –
    • April 11, 12 1967 F. N. Darke Hall with Verchovyna Dancers. –
    • March 26,27 1968 Sheldon Williams collegiate with Brent Dutton, Tuba. –
    • April 21,22 1969 Sheldon Williams collegiate with Rosemary oddie, Vocalist.

Several other concerts-by-Request were presented for

    • The Saskatchewan Dairy Association; Saskatchewan consistory Association;
    • First Baptist Mens’ Club; Special program in Saskatchewan House; Province Day 1967
    • in Saint Andrew’s United Church to honour E. A. Moore on his retirement;
    • Centennial Dinner for former Mayors and Aldermen of the City of Regina;
    • Concertennial 1967 with a massed choir of RMVC and Regina Ladies’ Choir,
    • with the Pit Orchestra directed by Lloyd Blackman;
    • Knights of Columbus Christmas Music and concert with proceeds to the YWCA Publishing Fund.

Harvey Nicholson was Accompanist throughout this decade. He began his long association with the choir in 1956 and this continued until 1973. Some of the musical selections as given by the RMVC in this decade were 

Ave Maria                           Cwm Rhonda 
Lord Randall                        Eriskay Love Lilt 
Old Man River                       Climb Every Mountain 
Climbin' Up The Mountain            Westward 
The Three Bells                     Laudamus 
I Believe                           Leave Me To Anguish 
The Happy Wanderer                  The Happiest Land
Stout Hearted Men                   Passing By 
With A Little Bit Of Luck           Old Mother Hubbard
The Trumpet Shall sound             The Long Day Closes 
Bless This House                    I'll Walk Beside You
Balm in Gilead                      Rolling Down To Rio 
No Man Is An Island                 Spirit Flower 
All Through The Night               Battle Hymn of The Republic 
Salvation is created                Haul Away Joe 
Oh, What a Beautiful Morning        Oklahoma 
There is nothing Like a Dame        Blind Ploughman