Fifteen years ago, a group of talented people within the Peterborough Singers formed an ensemble that, a few years later, would strike out on its own as the Peterborough Pop Ensemble. On Saturday, September 26th, the ensemble is celebrating its 15th anniversary with “The Best of the Pops”, a concert at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough.
Whether you’ve witnessed a live performance of the Peterborough Pop Ensemble — in concert at Market Hall, at one of their seasonal celebrations with the Peterborough Symphony, or even at a Peterborough Petes’ game — you know the unique sound of these 18 voices can stop you in your tracks.
The evidence comes not just from its dedicated following, but from those who are privy to one of the group’s impromptu Tim Hortons performances, something that’s become somewhat a signature for the Peterborough Pop Ensemble. Whether it’s an arranged version of “Dancing Queen”, or “Java Jive”, or “Sugar, Sugar”, the ensemble has been known to stop coffee servers mid-pour, and leave restaurant wait staff frozen with surprise and awe. Most often the remarks are “Wow — you are so good!”, “Do another!”, and “That’s amazing!”
Those are words that always sparkle like they’re brand new for the ensemble’s musical director, retired Kenner Collegiate teacher Barbara Monahan.
“Each time we perform, to hear an audience member say, ‘I thought the last show was the best one, but this one is the best by far’ is really the greatest compliment, and I hear it over and over,” Monahan says. “To me, it means our audience is experiencing something fresh, and they’re left each time wondering, ‘How could they top that one?'”
Born in 2000 as a one-time ensemble of members of Syd Birrell’s Peterborough Singers, the group grew, evolved, and stepped out on their own in 2009, becoming the Peterborough Pop Ensemble.
“I remember when Syd first asked me to teach three songs to about 14 members of the Peterborough Singers — music he’d chosen that was more appropriate for a small group of singers,” Monahan recalls. “I remember thinking how honoured I was to be asked to work with musicians like Darlene Ewing, Arlene Gray, and others, and wondered what I could possibly teach them. It was humbling in a sense.”
Monahan says the first sound out of the group back in 2000 was nothing like you hear today.
“I remember gathering around the piano, and everyone was vying for their spot, singing as loudly as they could,” she says. “The sound was nothing like it is now. I remember telling them to pretend we’re a family gathering around the piano and to enjoy listening to other voices in the group.”
After a few cameo appearances at Peterborough Singers concerts, the group spearheaded its first “The Songs of World War II” performance in 2003 to great acclaim by the community and especially veterans. That show was requested and performed several more years in a row to sell-out audiences, and will be commemorated this year, on the occasion of the ensemble’s 15th anniversary, with a recording that will be donated to veterans and long term care and senior residences at a concert in November.
“I think that concert was the beginning of a belief in being able to carry on,” Monahan says. “At first we did it for the fun aspect, then we put commitment and dedication to what we did, and I think the World War 2 show was the trigger that showed us we were more than a group that could show up and sing three or four songs.”
Today, the semi-professional group offers two main concerts a year and participates in others as they are able. For the last four years, they have been a part of the Peterborough Symphony’s holiday season concert. They continue to sing anthems at Petes’ games when requested, and perform by request at the Dragon Boat Festival each year.
This volunteer group also fits in a ream of other opportunities throughout the year, usually driven by a desire to support the community or to strengthen a charity — the group has performed at more than 75 charitable functions over the years.
“I think the expectation and the fun are the constants,” Dunkley says. “Barb always expects the best of us, and the fun is always there. No matter what else you have going on in your life, time with the Peterborough Pop Ensemble either rehearsing or performing is worth every minute. We have a magic, and Barb is like the magician that waves the wand.”
Canvas any of the members and the result is the same: Barb Monahan is the driving force behind the Peterborough Pop Ensemble — not just shaping the sound of the group, but also arranging a good majority of the songs, writing others, and participating in the business and promotion aspects of the group.
Monahan admits that she generates most of the musical ideas, but for a good reason.
“Some people say that you have so much time once you’re retired,” she laughs.
So what keeps the ensemble going? Monahan says it’s the magic in the group.
“It’s hearing us at the performance,” she explains. “It’s what it feels like when we’re singing — the pure joy of being able to sing with such talented voices, and knowing how much work we’ve put into it and yet the enjoyment we bring to our audience. It is magical. I hear us and think, ‘Wow, that’s us!”
Always the visionary, Monahan looks to the future.
“I would like to see us continue to present the style of show we are doing. It would be lovely to get a following that would force us to move to a larger venue, to know we have a sell-out audience every time.”
She says she’d also like to take a few of the ensemble’s best-loved shows on the road. Performing for new audiences helps the group grow, she adds.
While that vision may be a few years out, Monahan has no intention of leaving well enough alone: after 15 years, the driving force behind this mesmerizing vocal group is tackling a new challenge, maybe its biggest yet: a rock show scheduled for April 2016.
“We’re always taking it to another level,” she says.
“Great Day” performed by the Peterborough Pop Ensemble
“We Honour You” by Barbara Monahan, performed by the Peterborough Pop Ensemble
“It’s Delovely” performed by the Peterborough Pop Ensemble
“But Not For Me” performed by the Peterborough Pop Ensemble
“Do You Love Me?” performed by the Peterborough Pop Ensemble
All photos courtesy of the Peterborough Pop Ensemble except where noted.
