REGINA MALE VOICE CHOIR 1920 – 1929
The Roaring Twenties hit the United States. Al Capone is rumoured to have been in Moose Jaw as a regular visitor to the Tunnels of Moose Jaw. as part of his bootlegging empire. True? Maybe? Babe Ruth was batting the balls out of the parks. Charlie Chaplin was a big hit in the movies. The 3000-year-old tomb of Tutankhamen was discovered in Egypt. Tokyo was hit by a devastating earthquake. George Gershwin’s Rhapsody In Blue was a resounding success. Charles Lindbergh became the first man to fly non-stop across the Atlantic from New York to Paris, flying the Spirit of St. Louis for over 33 hours to complete the flight. Penicillin was discovered. Mickey Mouse became a star in the film, Steamboat Willie, a short cartoon.
In 1920 the Regina Male Chorus Club added women’s voices to create a group known as the Regina Choral Union. It was also known as the Regina Choral and Orchestral Society. This was reported in the Regina Leader noting that Frank Laubach was the Conductor and the Accompanist was A.C. Laubach.
Following rehearsals, the Regina Choral Union presented a concert in the Exhibition Grounds at 8:15 p.m. on May 16, 1920. Conductor was Frank Laubach with W.A. Laubach the Accompanist. Assisting Artist was Alma Simpson a noted Metropolitan Soprano. Reserved Section ( ground Floor) 75¢, General Admission 50¢, children under 15, 25¢.
Beginning in January 1921 there were five concerts presented through the cooperation of six Regina singing groups
Regina Choral Union (including Regina Male Chorus Club) Regina Orchestral Society
Regina Choral Society Ladies’ Choir Queen city Classics Rotary Choral Club Regina Male Quartet
The first concert was “Bonny Kilmeny” on January 18th in Metropolitan Church at 8:15 p.m. Conductor: Frank Laubach. Accompanist: W. A. Laubach. Sopranos 122, Contralto 23, Tenor 23, Bass 38, Orchestra 45 (260).
The last program in the series was on March 28th. It was “Elijah”. Details on the other three are not known.
!n 1922 the male section of the Regina Choral Union, directed by George Coutts, entered the Provincial Music Festival held in Regina. The following year, the male section, conducted by Dan Cameron, entered the Provincial Music Festival in Prince Albert. Male Voice Choirs had also been established in Moose Jaw and Saskatoon by this time. . This led to yearly competitions between the groups as they vied for top honours during the festivals.
The spring of 1922 also saw a couple of concerts in Metropolitan Church led by Frank Laubach. Accompanist for the March 30 concert was George Coutts. Accompanist for the April. 20 concert was W.A. Laubach. Miss Josephine Radcliffe was Assisting Artist for the April event.
In 1923 The Regina Male Voice Choir was organized under its present name with Dan Cameron its first President and Conductor.
On May 3, 1923 the Regina Male Voice: Choir, The Regina Choral Society and Regina Orchestral Society got together to present a Grand Concert in Metropolitan Church, 8:15 pm, “Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast”. Conductor: George Coutts. Accompanist: Miss Edith Mash. Assisting Artists: W. Knight Wilson, violin; Lionel Allen, Tenor Solo; Mrs. Marion Atkinson, Soprano; Dan Cameron, Baritone Solo.
In April, 1924 a similar Grand Concert, conducted by Dan Cameron, was held in ; Metropolitan Church at 8:15 pm. Tickets were 75¢.
Regina Male Voice Concerts, conducted by Dan Cameron, were in January and April, 1926, December 15, 1926, April 23, 1927, April 9, 1928, April 1, 1929 and on April 23; 1929 the RMVC sang during the Regina Orchestral Society Open Concert in the F.N.Darke Hall, 8:15 pm.
It should be noted here that the RMVC sang during the Official Dedication Service of the F.N.Darke Building for Music and Art, at 3:30 pm. Dan Cameron conducted. This was on January 6, 1929.
One of several Leader Post Christmas Cheer Concerts was presented on December 16, 1928 in the Regina Theatre. Dan Cameron conducted.
Five days earlier the RMVC sang as the entertainment for the Opening of the New Plant of General Motors in Regina. Dan Cameron conducted 50 singers on stage. This event was held in the Hotel Saskatchewan.
A month later, on February 6, 1929 the RMVC sang during a Charity Concert in the F.N.Darke Hall. Conductor, Dan Cameron. Accompanist: Cyril Hampshire.
On November 13, 1929 the RMVC provided entertainment during the 23rd Annual Meeting of the United Grain Growers Limited, in the Hotel Saskatchewan. The W. Knight Wilson Salon Orchestra provided music during dinner. After-dinner vocal selections were provided by the RMVC of 75 voices. Conductor: Dan Cameron. Accompanist: A.C.Williams.
A week later on November 21, 22, 23, 1929 the RMVC and Kiwanis Club presented Musical Allegro with proceeds in aid of charity, in the F.N.Darke Hall at 8:15 pm. Conductor: Dan Cameron. Accompanist: A.C.Williams. 75 singers.
December 22, 1929 saw another Christmas Concert to aid the Leader Post Christmas Cheer Fund, in collaboration with the First Battalion Regina Rifle Regiment in the Armoury at 8:45 pm. Conductor: Dan Cameron. Accompanist: A.C.Williams. Bandmaster: R.B.Wells.
Some of the selections presented during this decade were:
Deep River The Hallelujah Chorus Volga Boat Song De Gospel Train Silent Night
Worship of God In Nature Pilgrims’ Chorus There Roll’s The Deep
Seek Him That Maketh The Seven Stars The Heavens Are Telling My Bonnie Lassie Land Sighting
Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes Border Ballad In Flanders Fields Sailor’s Chorus Bonnie Doon
Beauteous Night
Membership in 1926 – 44. Membership in 1929 – 76.