Our Beginnings
The Frontenac Women's Chorus was founded in 1996 by Sydenham musician and composer, Jennifer Bennett. It was originally intended to provide a group of friends with an opportunity to get together, to learn and to perform music - much of which was locally new-composed or Canadian of origin and which celebrated everyday life. It has remained largely that. We now have about 25 members and our music repertoire is varied - everything from close harmony jazz and pop to folk-song arrangements, Broadway to classics! We rehearse weekly in the music room of Sydenham High School in the village of Sydenham which is central to our largely rural membership.
When Jennifer returned to Queens University to study Music Composition, direction of the choir was assumed by Betty Wagner, Kingston voice coach and performer and a former music student at the University of Western Ontario who graduated from Queens Music School (voice) in 1993.
The members of the chorus are from all parts of the area and from many backgrounds. Some of us are new to music while others are heavily involved with other musical endeavours. The group is entirely non-profit. Concert receipts are usually shared with the host organization, used to recoup the cost of music etc., and/or donated to local charities. Food Bank donations are welcomed at all concerts. We enjoy performing at churches, celebrations and fundraisers throughout the region.