FIRST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CHOIR IN KITCHENER
Alfred Kunz finds a new - more relaxed - musical calling
Alfred Kunz finds a new - more relaxed - musical calling
Program Manager Deanne MacIntosh and Alfred Kunz, who will be directing a choir for the Forest Heights Community Association.
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by Helen Hall
Kitchener Citizen
June 11, 2015
Choir director Alfred Kunz’s retirement didn’t last long.
The well-known director and composer announced his retirement after over 60 years of conducting in May, and by June he had new job.
Kunz will lead a mixed adult community choir being organized by the Forest Heights Community Association this fall.
“Believe it or not, I am truly delighted with this invitation, entering a new page in my life,” Kunz said. “It means I will continue doing what I have loved doing
for these many years; creating and recreating old and
new choral music within the community. Sharing my gift and vision is, and has, been my duty and responsibility and pleasure.”
“Although we will do the best possible musical adventure, it will be a ‘no frills’ fun choir, open to anyone who wishes to participate, without the need for stressful fundraising, searching for sponsors, etc. We will meet weekly and enjoy the pleasures of singing in a relaxed atmosphere.”
The Forest Heights Association Choir is the brainchild of FHCA Program Manager Deanne MacIntosh.
MacIntosh was hired to work part-time by the community association last February. One of her jobs has been to give a “facelift” to the association’s programming.
“This past spring, the FHCA started a new Music History Program with Michel Allard,” MacIntosh said.
“As Program Manager, I went to sit in his program and an idea sparked in my mind about a need for a mixed choir for the association. I could tell everyone in the group was itching to sing. I also saw the impact that Michel’s class has had on people. Music creates happiness!”
MacIntosh is a choral singer herself and knew that Kunz was retiring.
“Gifted people like Alfred - they don’t retire,” she said. “I saw an opportunity and decided to seize it.”
She asked Kunz if he would like to continue to conduct a smaller, community choir.
“We are thrilled that Alfred has agreed to be our Artistic Director/Conductor,” MacIntosh said.
She agreed that the goal of the Forest Heights Association Choir is to keep things simple - just to concentrate on the joy of singing.
“We know that no other choir exists in the neighbourhood associations, and I am proud to start this group. We will welcome all voices. The response has been overwhelming from the community. We will hold our first performance during the holiday season at the Forest Heights Community Centre,” MacIntosh said.
“I truly appreciate the support from the FHCA board when I first introduced this idea.”
FHCA president Jerry Corriveau said MacIntosh is the first paid program director ever hired by the association.
“We are fortunate we were able to recruit Alfred, mainly through Deanne’s efforts,” Corriveau said.
MacIntosh thinks the choir will be a “great addition” to the ongoing programming provided by the FHCA.
The Forest Heights Association choir will rehearse at the Westheights Community Church on Tuesday nights from 7:30-9pm starting in September.
For more information on joining this choir email Deanne Macintosh Programmanager@fhcakitchener.ca