MAPLE LEAF SINGERS SING SOLID GOLD!
One of Vancouver’s oldest choirs performs 50th anniversary show

Where were you in the 1960s? In 1968, the Maple Leaf Singers were just getting started! This year, they celebrate 50 years of fabulous shows with Solid Gold, their 2018 extravaganza, May 26 and 27 at New Westminster’s Massey Theatre.

Solid Gold will feature the best of the best, plucked from five decades of unforgettable performances. Known for their varied repertoire, the Maple Leaf Singers perform with full-on enthusiasm and lively choreography. Songs by the Hollies, the Beatles, the Doobie Brothers, Elton John, and Billy Joel will get toes a-twitchin’, while Rock This Town and You Can’t Stop The Beat will have ‘em dancing in the aisles! Rousing gospel Hallelujah! By And By and Swinging With The Saints along with haunting You’ll Never Walk Alone, Shenandoah, and The Water Is Wide will bring hand to heart! 

The Maple Leaf Singers originated in 1968 with 24 members under the creative leadership of New Westminster couple George and Marie Gillis. After 33 years devoted to their music, the pair retired in 2000, passing the baton to Wilson Fowlie, who has expertly led the groups’ 50 voices ever since. But the Gillis’s still hold the chorus dear to their hearts—Marie still runs up custom-made show costumes and George occasionally guest conducts.

In 2017, Rob Gillis, son of the founding couple, stepped up as assistant musical director of the group. With music in his blood, Rob started playing percussion for the chorus when he was just eight years old. As a founding member of Vancouver band The Blue Meenies, he sang and played bass guitar for over 25 years. In 2007, Rob and his wife Josie joined the Maple Leaf Singers as full-time singing members. Now eager to carry on the family legacy, Rob says, “The Maple Leaf Singers are an important part of the arts community. We love to sing and have brought the joy of music to tens of thousands over the last 50 years. I’m honoured to help perpetuate this beautiful legacy.”

As one of Vancouver’s oldest choirs and one of the longest-standing members of the BC Choral Federation, the Maple Leaf Singers are a choral treasure in the GVA. The group’s history includes being the official choir of the Canada Summer Games (1973), entertaining Princes Philip and Andrew during a royal visit (1978), singing at Expo ’86, performing a salute to the troops in Afghanistan (2006), contributing to the Vancouver Paralympic Games (2010), and musically celebrating Canada Day in various communities over the years.

As a registered charity, The Maple Leaf Singers perform over 12 times a year, striving to include music in as many lives as possible, no matter the age. They deliver professional, upbeat, no-fee entertainment at special events, private bookings, and fundraisers, in many cases taking their show to those who could not otherwise see such a performance.

To those who have enjoyed the Maple Leaf Singers before or those who have yet to have the pleasure, Solid Gold promises to get memories stirring, blood pumping, and feet itching to move. In this special 50th anniversary show, the chorus brings life to music and music to life. 

Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Ave., New Westminster
Saturday, May 26, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, May 27, 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: General Admission $25/Youth & Students $15

Special Group Pricing: 1 free ticket for every 10 ordered
Advance Club Pricing: No service charges
For tickets, call 778-245-4445 or go to mapleleafsingers.com

MEDIA CONTACTS

Victoria Stratton 604-839-5609 or vjstratt@gmail.com
Keith Parker 604-866-7973 or keithparker@shaw.ca