About Us
In the fall of 2001, Zulma Cherlet, Don Martin, Helga Malis, June McDonald, Ginny Parent, and Norma Sharp got together and came up with the idea to form a choir, which became “The Westshore Singers”. The original choir had 15 members. Still going strong since then, our current active membership this session is 60 singers. Truly representative of the Interlake community, every week from March to early June and September to early December, the choir’s Music Director and Conductor, Karen Lamb, along with Accompanist Ginny Parent and singers from Gimli, Winnipeg Beach, Sandy Hook, Matlock, Ponemah, Whytewold, Arborg, Riverton, Arnes, Petersfield , Lundar, Teulon, Hnausa and Selkirk meet at 7:00 p.m. in Gimli to practice. The willingness of members to drive far distances to attend these practices testifies to the dedication and enjoyment this group has in singing together.
The choir performs two sets of public concerts each year, at Christmas and in early June, with our dress rehearsal at Betel Personal Care Home every session. These concerts are held in Gimli and in Arborg or Riverton. Each concert is a mixture of popular, inspirational, sacred, traditional, or Broadway music sung in harmony, with soprano, alto, tenor, and bass (SATB) voices. Programs also include featured guest artists. Admission charged for the concerts goes towards the purchase of music, rental of concert and practice facilities as well as donations to local charities. The choir has also performed on request in Selkirk, Stonewall, Gimli, Teulon, Arnes and Fraserwood.
Artistic Team
Karen Lamb, Music Director and Conductor
Ms. Lamb has loved music since she played 45's on her phonograph as a little girl. Her favorites were “How Much Is That Doggie in the Window” and “The Yellow Rose of Texas”. Her mother said she never thought she would be able to carry a tune as she listened to her singing along. As Ms. Lamb got older, she sang in church and school choirs, played flute and took piano lessons. She started conducting the Junior Choir at church in high school and was hooked on conducting. Ms. Lamb graduated with degrees in Music Education and Elementary Education from Minot State University. After graduation she taught elementary music in the former Assiniboine South School Division until her children were born when she became a stay-at-home mom. It was during this time she started an over 30-year career as a church musician. When her children were all in school, she returned to teaching, as a junior high band and choral teacher and found her true niche. Ms. Lamb loved junior high students! Upon retirement, Ms. Lamb and her husband moved to Winnipeg Beach where she started helping with the choir at Gimli Lutheran.
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Virginia (Ginny) Parent, Accompanist
Ms. Virginia (Ginny) Parent, has been with the choir since it began. Trained in piano through sight reading and ear training, and put this training to use in dance bands, playing dinner music and accompanying various singing groups. The highlight of her teaching career was in Thompson, Manitoba teaching K-6 music. In addition to the many school performances, she also accompanied several city choirs during her 18 years living in northern Manitoba.
Ms. Parent and her husband made the move to Gimli upon retiring in 1999. Realizing she was missing working with choirs, she became a founding member of the Westshore Singers. Ms. Parent’s passion for music and choral singing is evident whether collaborating with the Music Director, or providing guidance in her interactions with the singers.
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Board of Directors
Board members are key to the success of the choir. They work alongside and in support of the Artistic Team to ensure the organization operates smoothly. We hold an annual general meeting of the membership and look forward to welcoming new board members to join the ranks.
Board of Directors
Chair: Leah McIsaac
Vice-Chair: Joan Dawkins
Secretary: Virginia (Ginny) Coleman
Treasurer: Ruby Tretiak
Events Coordinator: Lynne Erickson
Membership: Linda Brook
Choir Care: Pauline Derrett
Ex Officio Officers
Music Director and Conductor: Karen Lamb
Accompanist: Ginny Parent
Elected Board Vacancies:
There are presently no vacancies on the Board of Directors