Over 200 Student Unite for Guelph’s City-Wide GYS Kiwanis Choir Initiative

More than 200 elementary students from across the Upper Grand District School Board and Wellington Catholic District School Board are coming together this spring to form a vibrant, city-wide massed choir through the Guelph Youth Singers (GYS) Kiwanis Choir initiative.

Now in its third year, this growing community initiative is a partnership between Guelph Youth Singers and the Kiwanis Music Festival of Guelph. The program is funded through a generous bequest from the estate of Oscar and Clara Bookbinder, with funds dedicated specifically to supporting community outreach through music.
Under the direction of GYS Artistic Director, Emily Petrenko, students from six local schools are working together in a shared choral experience focused on collaboration, musicianship, and community connection.

“I still remember singing in a massed choir when I was in Grade 4. There were hundreds of us, and it’s a musical experience that has stayed with me for decades. In fact, one of the pieces we’re singing this year is one I remember singing at that age. It’s incredibly meaningful to now offer that same experience to these students,” says Petrenko.

Participating schools and teachers include:

• King George Public School – Emily Petrenko
• Guelph Lake Public School – Marlys Neufeldt
• Waverley Drive Public School – Kristen Westwood
• Jean Little Public School – Ursula Menzel
• St. Joseph School – Piroska Szucs
• Rickson Ridge Public School – Aaron Duncan

Students will come together for combined rehearsals and performances as part of the Kiwanis Music Festival, culminating in a large-scale choral experience that celebrates the strength of music education in the community. The choir will perform at John F. Ross CVI on Tuesday, April 28 at 5:00 PM as part of the festival. A finale performance will be at Lakeside Church during GYS’s Spring Concert “Born to Be” on Saturday, May 23 at 7:00pm.

Guelph Youth Singers continues to build on this momentum by offering additional opportunities for young singers. Registration is now open for summer camp programs, and registration for the 2026–2027 season will open in May.

More information is available at www.guelphyouthsingers.com