The Centennial Singers were formed in 1972 as part of Fort Macleod’s centennial celebrations in 1974.
A singing group that captured the hearts of audiences leading up to Fort Macleod’s centennial anniversary in 1974 and earned an invitation to the World’s Fair, will reunite next month.
The Centennial Singers will celebrate their 50th anniversary Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Legion in Fort Macleod.
“I’ve always told the girls that once you’re a Centennial Singer, you’re always a Centennial Singer,” said Marjorie Hart, who with Louise Collar founded the 70-voice choir.
A public meeting was called in February 1972 to discuss Fort Macleod’s pending centennial two years later.
MLA Leighton Buckwell was elected centennial committee president and its other members included Charlie Reach, David Coutts, Mrs. Bert Heath, Doris Rosling and Floris Lemire.
The committee also included Chamber of Commerce president Jim Isberg, two members of the Fort Macleod Historical Association, two town councillors and Sgt. Colter of the RCMP.
“It isn’t every year one can celebrate a 100th birthday and most of us won’t be here for its 200th, so let’s make this a party to remember,” Buckwell said.
Fort Macleod’s many organizations began brainstorming ways to mark the 100th anniversary, pitching them to the centennial committee for approval.
When Mrs. Hart and Mrs. Collar approached the committee with the idea of forming a female choir, they received a warm reception.
A call went out for signers and the response was strong, with about 70 girls aged eight to 14 years signing up for the two-year commitment.
“It just snowballed on us,” Mrs. Hart said of the positive response from the town’s girls.
Practices were held once a week at G.R. Davis school, with the unfailing co-operation of principal Noel Doherty.
Mrs. Hart directed the choir and Mrs. Collar was the pianist.
The Centennial Singers gave their first major performance before an audience of more than 700 people at G.R. Davis school.
The Macleod Gazette reported that the girls, resplendent in their red blouses and knee socks and white skirts and shoes, “sang their hearts out.”
“While Fort Macleod is a relatively small town, an abundance of talent is here,” said Noel Doherty, who was master of ceremonies. “All that was needed was someone to sort it out.”
Following that first spring festival the Centennial Singers performed a number of times as they prepared for the town’s big centennial celebration.
They performed in churches, at carol festivals, at the provincial ladies curling championships, talent shows, went carolling door-to-door, sang at a wedding, performed at Lethbridge malls, and made TV appearances.
The Centennial Singers performed at most of Fort Macleod’s centennial events.
Leighton Buckwell wrote to organizers of Expo 74, the World’s Fair in Spokane, Washington, suggesting they consider including the Centennial Singers as part of the entertainment.
To the delight of the girls and Fort Macleod in general, an invitation to Expo 74 was tendered.
In the end, however, the logistics of organizing such a trip for 70 girls and their chaperones, as well as the cost of travel and insurance, proved too daunting and the Centennial Singers turned down the invitation.
The Centennial Singers gave their final performances on Dec. 3, 1974 at the Parkland Nursing Home and Pioneer Lodge before moving to the Knights of Columbus Hall for a Christmas party.
At that party, Mr. Hart admonished the girls to keep singing, and to make sure they came home for eventual reunions.
The previous reunions in 1982, 1997 and 2005 were well-attended as the women came home to rekindle warm memories.
“They just want to socialize and see each other,” Mrs Hart added. “We’re going to have a sing-song too.”
Centennial Singers members will come for the reunion from Vancouver, Calgary, Idaho, Quebec, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge and other centres.
Mrs. Hart spoke glowingly of the support the Centennial Singers received from the girls’ parents, as well as the rest of the community.
The reunion on Saturday, Sept. 10 will provide another opportunity to revisit the exciting times of the Centennial Singers.
“I think we’re part of the history of Fort Macleod,” Mrs. Hart said.
