The Rainbow Singers

This choir was formed in 1993 for a one-time performance at a convention of the Ontario Association of Superannuated Women Teachers held in Sarnia. After a most successful concert, the forty choir members expressed reluctance to disband, and decided to remain together. Since then the choir has grown to a membership of eighty-six, and has performed in the Lambton and Kent County area for many groups, as well as presenting their own concerts. One of their first appearances was as part of the lobby show for the Royal Bank's Seniors Jubilee at Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto in 1994, and they performed in the stage show there in 1996, and again for the lobby shows in August 1998, 1999 and 2003. The director is Eleanor Vargo, and the assistant director is Helen Mutton. The accompanists are Donna Dobbin, Eleanor Ritchie, and Lynn Winch.

In 2003 the choir celebrated their tenth anniversary. Many activities were planned. On May 10, the choir hosted a "Festival Of Ladies Choirs" at Grace United Church which was an outstanding success. Six ladies choirs from around Southern Ontario took part in both individual and massed choir performances. A contribution to the church's Grand Piano Fund was made by the choir following this concert.

On September 20th, performers from the Largest Seniors Variety Show Event in North America, the RBC Jubilee, came to Sarnia's Library Theatre to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Rainbow Singers. In concert with this chorale and produced by Jubilee Artistic Director, Wayne Burnett, the show featured some of Ontario's finest Senior Artists in a variety show called "Jubilations Sarnia". This was a special tribute to acknowledge the contribution The Rainbow Singers have made to Sarnia and district.

On November 28 the choir presented a "Memories" concert at the Sarnia Library Theatre which featured the choir's favourite songs from their 140 song repertoire. This was also the choir's farewell concert as the choir was disbanded at the end of 2003. The following night, November 29, the choir hosted a dinner/dance at Camlachie Community Hall.

Anyone interested in learning more about the choir should contact the director at 519-332-5611 or email her at evargo@ebtech.net.