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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, March 5, 2014 | 18 A Few Good Men highlights its success over the past year by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff Artscene "Connected to your Community" A Few Good Men isn't just your average community boys' choir. The group, comprised of boys, youths and men between the ages of seven and 29, prides itself on being an ensemble that fosters a safe, supportive and exciting environment in which all members can sing confidently. Oakville resident and conductor Dave Anderson told the Oakville Beaver what's truly unique about the program, reinvigorated about a year ago, is the age range that it welcomes. Sharing his vision through experience he gained singing with the Toronto Children's Chorus, the 27-year-old said he left the group because there wasn't really a place for him once his voice changed in his teenage years. Anderson took a five-year hiatus before turning back to singing when he attended Cawthra Park Secondary School in Mississauga. But not everyone returns to singing once they've left, noted Anderson. A Few Good Men perform Coldplay's Viva La Vida at St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School on Linbrook Road Saturday to provide a glimpse of the impact an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant has had on the program. Pictured in the photo at left is (front, left) Neel Sontam, Oliver Waterhouse, Hayden Chan, (in back, from left) Robert Dilawri, Callum Pope, Randy Wu and Mark Sanadi. At right, saxophonist Neil Morley, 23, and cellist Lukas Bernasiewicz, 12. Video of the performance can be found by visiting www.insidehalton.com/ video/4392160. | photos by Nikki Wesley ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or www.facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) "If boys continue to sing through their middle school and high school years, they'll probably sing for the rest of their life," he said, noting A Few Good Men provides that opportunity. Part of the success of the boys' choir, he added, is the leadership role the older members take in helping younger choristers become more comfortable and confident in what they're doing. "The mentorship and camaraderie built across two decades and age range is incredible," said Anderson. A Few Good Men is one of two Oakville Children's Choir (OCC) programs being supported by an Canadian alternative rock band I Mother Earth will perform at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts Saturday (March 8) at 7 p.m. | photo courtesy of the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts I Mother Earth ready to rock Saturday Canadian alternative rock band I Mother Earth is returning to Oakville this Saturday (March 8). The band, comprised of brothers Jagori and Christian Tanna, Bruce Gordon and Brian Byrne, will be performing at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $70 and can be purchased online at www.oakvillecentre.ca or by calling the box office at 905-815-2021. The Juno Award-winning band got back together two years after a nine-year hiatus. It performed at the Oakville Centre to a sold-out crowd last year in February. On Twitter and Facebook, Christian wrote the band has pulled out a "few old gems" for its upcoming Oakville performance. "Last time we played this place, it was an amazing night... this one will make you forget that one methinks," he wrote. The band will also be appearing at Paradiso restaurant following its performance for an After-Show Artist Chat. Ontario Trillium Foundation said the group incorporates movegrant. ment and instruments into its perIn March of last year, the group formances. and the Little Notes, which is for Johanna Zemmelink-Pope said children aged three and four, re- the choir has been a great "artistic ceived a $117,700 grant to build and creative outlet" for her 12-yearand grow participation in the choir old son Callum Pope, who joined programs over the next two years. the group after hearing about it A recognition event was held at through a presentation at his elSt. Mildred's-Lightbourn School ementary school, Joshua Creek on Linbrook Road Saturday to give Public School. residents a glimpse of the impact "Of all the activities he's involved the grant has in, it's the only made on the one we don't two programs have to, at one to date. point or anThe mentorship and A Few Good other, drag him camaraderie built across Men gave a out to," she said, two decades and age sneak peak of noting Callum is range is incredible. its upcoming growing into his performances musical voice by singing a and is singing few songs to a Dave Anderson louder and more A Few Good Men conductor confidently crowd that inas cluded Oakville time progresses. MPP Kevin Fly"He also nn and Ontario found his voice Trillium Foundation volunteer more at school in presentations Kari Cuss. and those sort of things are just Anderson said A Few Good Men more comfortable for him." is a "true passion project" for the Zemmelink-Pope added the OCC and one that he feels is part group has a different energy that of his "legacy work." brings a nice contrast to the OCC's He noted the success of the pro- other choirs. gram can be seen in its numbers. The choir will perform at First UnitWhen its first season ended last ed Church in Port Credit on April 26 year, there were 29 members and at 2 p.m. and at the OCC's 20th anninow it boasts 46. versary celebrations at The ClearView Singing everything from tradi- Christian Reformed Church on Sheritional choral repertoire to unique dan Garden Drive on May 3 at 3 p.m. choral arrangements of pop covFor more information, visit www. ers like Coldplay's Viva La Vida, he oakvillechildrenschoir.org.