"When I was younger, I sang in a few choirs that enriched my life. In my senior years I joined the Elderberries, Gravenhurst's community choir, to sing joyfully with direction and harmony and to develop my understanding of musical theory. Ten years now, and I treasure every practice, every concert. My soul is happy!"
Paola Randall, Chorister
PHOTO Mark Clairmont, MuskokaTODAY.com
Welcome to The Elderberries Choir
The Elderberries are a group of people who love singing and have fun doing it. Based in Gravenhurst, our members come from Muskoka and beyond. We are a community choir and everyone is welcome to join us. There are no auditions. We sing in four-part harmony (Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass) and our repertoire ranges from popular songs and to Canadian folk music to classical and modern choral arrangements.
NEWS AND EVENTS
We would love to have you join us!
PHOTO Mark Clairmont, MuskokaTODAY.com
We are taking a break right now, but the new season starts soon. Rehearsals for the 2026-27 season begin September 8th at Trinity United Church, 290 Muskoka Road N., Gravenhurst, P1P 1T5. Rehearsals are held on Tuesdays from September to June and run from 2:30p.m. to 4:30 p.m. New members are welcome. There are no auditions and all adult singers are welcome.
Our Choristers Comment:
I love to sing, and this choir has become one of the happiest parts of my week. Even on days when I'm dragging my feet, the moment we start warming up together, something inside me lifts. I've found friends here, and I've grown more confident than I ever expected just by showing up and sharing music. If you're thinking about joining, come sit in on a rehearsal — you'll feel right away how welcoming it is.
Jack Cline, Chorister
Meet Our Music Director
Louise Jardine
Louise has been our Music Director since 2017. She has extensive choral experience, having conducted the Etobicoke Youth Choir for more than 20 years, and the Junior and Youth choirs at Kingsway-Lambton United Church for almost 15 years. Louise earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (Summa Cum Laude) from York University, specializing in music, as well as a Bachelor of Education from OISE. She worked for the Toronto District School Board as as a Music Events Coordinator and Librarian in the Central Music Department .
In addition to her work as Music Director, Louise sang with the Toronto Mendelsohn Choir for four years, and played violin with the York Symphony Orchestra for four years.
Louise's personal mandate reads, “Community is very important to me. Throughout my life, I have worked in the public school system, my church and local youth choirs to build community through music. Music brings people together, lifts spirits and creates personal well-being. I strive to help each singer develop to the best of their ability to experience the joy of making beautiful music together".
Our Accompanist
Carolyn Grant
Carolyn has served as accompanist for the Elderberries Choir since 2013, and brings a wide range of experience to her role. In addition to the piano, Carolyn also plays organ and flute and enjoys choral singing. In her student days at the University of Waterloo, Carolyn was rehearsal accompanist for a large choir. She has been the accompanist for the Ontario Provincial Police Chorus (Orillia) for the past twenty-five years, and is a member of the Orillia Vocal Ensemble. She is also a member of the Orillia Concert Band, the Gravenhurst Bifocals Band, and St. Paul's United Church Chancel Choir. Carolyn started playing for churches several years ago, and is currently organist/pianist at Willis Presbyterian Church in Jarratt. She now accompanies various church choirs in the Orillia/Gravenhurst area as a summer supply organist. In addition, Carolyn occasionally plays at weddings and funerals and entertains residents at various retirement and nursing homes in Orillia.