History of the Choir

2005 To Present

In 2005, the Nith Valley Singers and Music Alive were merged under one banner to form the Millennium Choral Organization. Together the choirs enjoyed continued success in bringing their love of music to the community until 2016, when the choir was renamed to Grand River Voices.

In May 2015, the organization celebrated over 30 years of its founder’s musical works at a farewell concert as Alfred Kunz retired as conductor and artistic director.

In June 2015, the organization renewed its commitment to the community by announcing that it would continue its musical journey.

Music Alive – Founded in 1989

The Music Alive concert choir was a group from the Kitchener-Waterloo and surrounding areas. They were described as “ordinary people who just like to sing.” In September 1989, this ‘ordinary’ group of singers was creating an extraordinary sound. Music Alive was a one-of-a-kind choral group that brought singers of all ages together in a rich and diverse tradition of choral singing.

The choir’s first performance in Kitchener’s Centre In The Square drew a full house. More than 1,700 people were treated to a program that catered to a wide spectrum of musical tastes. Their repertoire represented music that extended from Bach to the Beatles … and beyond. The accomplishments of this choir represented a true community effort that brought together people from all walks of life to produce what Alfred Kunz referred to as ‘magic’.

Nith Valley Singers – Founded in 1985

In 1985, Alfred Kunz put out a call to the communities of New Hamburg, Baden and surrounding areas for singers to form a new choral group. Envisioning a community choir rich in the choral traditions of their ethnic and religious backgrounds, he invited people from all walks of life who just like to sing. The Nith Valley Singers was born.

The Nith Valley Singers enjoyed a rich camaraderie and the choir developed its own distinctive sound that was warm, lively and unpretentious, much like its members.