After decades of singing, it’s time for new blood in church choir

By Lethbridge Herald on October 23, 2025.

When Lydia and I arrived in Taber in 1982, we were delighted to join the St. Augustine’s choir when they asked us to do so.  Joe, the choir director, knew his music that made it easier for us to blend in. 

After living in Taber for over a year, I was hired as a Power Engineer at the Research Station in Lethbridge.  

We moved to Coaldale to be closer to work.  We joined St. Ambrose parish after meeting and introducing ourselves to Fr. Lawrence Raymond, parish priest at the time, as his new parishioners.  Father Redmond asked us if we could sing and when we said yes, he suggested we join the senior choir as they were looking for more singers. 

Sam, the choir director. would sing both Latin and English hymns at mass. We were dedicated to attending choir practice weekly. I am a tenor and was able to pick up the high notes and Lydia could sing both soprano and alto. 

When the senior choir was dismantled due to members’ health and other reasons, we joined the family choir, the Happy Gang Choir, and other groups for a while.  

However, due to difficulty going up to the choir loft, we established our own “Covenant Choir” and led the singing in front of the church for many years and had various pianists play for us.  

During the COVID years 2021-23 we led the choir acapella from the front. When Father Ian was transferred to Drumheller, our new priest Father Iqbal asked us to continue leading the singing. 

However, now that Father Iqbal added more masses than what we used to have, we had more work to do since we had to lead the singing for the masses at 4 p.m.  Sunday; 8:45 a.m.  Monday (sometimes) 7 p.m. Tuesday, 8:45 a.m. Thursday (sometimes) and Saturday morning once a month with more hymns we have to prepare prior to mass.  We also lead the First Friday Adoration and Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. 

Lydia and I would appreciate younger members of our congregation stepping up and filling the gap to lead choirs because we are now in our 80s and after 40 plus years of service, it’s time for someone else to take over. 

Paul Jones

Coaldale