Fred & Margriet Andrew have a lifelong love of choral music

Sitting on Fred and Margriet’s deck overlooking their beautiful yard and fruit trees just finishing with spring blossoms, we discussed their lifelong love of music.  Fred and Margriet have sung together for many years, starting with the Victoria Choral society and including 30 years with Ekoos (Sooke backwards), a small group specializing in medieval music and madrigals.  Fred plays guitar with a friend in a group called Fine Brew and does the “old folks” circuit.  Last year they even made a recording.

Margriet and Fred have been in the Sooke Philharmonic choir since its inception more than 20 years ago.  They have seen many changes, but the constant for them is the love and enthusiasm they put into making choral music with others.  When a choir comes together with one breath, one sound, it is beautiful as the music suddenly flows through you.  Sometimes it can raise the little hairs on the back of your neck, making you step out of yourself in a truly magical moment.  Singing keeps “the brain, in all its glory, happy and nourished” (Fred).

Fred and Margriet also enjoy the friendships they have formed in the choir over many years and a cup of coffee with other choir members after rehearsals.  I asked them about their favourites and aspirations.  Margriet enjoyed singing Carmina Burana most over all her singing years and would like to perform in Beethoven’s Ninth.  Fred’s overall favourite is the Messiah, and he would like to take on some Mahler in the future.

Thanks to dedicated singers like Margriet and Fred, the Sooke Philharmonic Choir is not only musically exciting, but a place of friendship and mutual regard.