Shining Star

Laura Fitzpatrick

A great team needs a great coach. At 50 members strong, the Theatre Ancaster Chorus is thriving under the exceptional leadership of Laura Fitzpatrick. As Chorus Director, Laura brings passion and experience to the role, helping our choristers achieve harmonious new heights. According to Laura, teamwork is key: “Choral singing is all about the team! We breathe together and rely on each other to make art. The members of the Chorus represent various ages and levels of singing experience, but we come together every week and work as a group to pursue musical excellence.”

Laura has provided musical direction to the Chorus since coming on board in 2023. Her job includes selecting and arranging songs to be part of four concerts a year, and booking guest instrumentalists. She also runs weekly rehearsals, which she describes as the “highlight” of her week. “The singers in the Chorus are dedicated, talented and hilarious,” says Laura.

The warm feelings are mutual. Chorus Librarian and long-time chorister Joanne Baker sings Laura’s praises: “Laura is fabulous! She is always well-prepared, enthusiastic, and creative. Our practices are fun but full of Laura’s knowledge and experience. She enables us to learn quickly and perform with confidence no matter whether the piece is complicated jazz or a more traditional selection from the world of pop or Broadway. I love working with Laura.”

Chorus Coordinator, Janet Delsey, shares these sentiments: “We are incredibly fortunate to have Laura at the helm! Her thorough planning keeps us on track and ensures we make the most of every rehearsal. She brings energy and fun every week, making our time together both productive and enjoyable. Laura’s leadership and creativity have taken us to a whole new level, and I can’t wait to see what she has in store next!”

This season, the Chorus has two exciting shows in the works under Laura’s direction. The first is a holiday concert called Cool Yule–a tribute to the Christmas album of the same name by Louis Armstrong. It features a special guest pianist, David Atkinson, along with a group of all-star musicians on electric guitar, bass and drums. The music includes traditional holiday songs, but in funk, jazz and pop styles.

In the spring, audiences will enjoy Places I’ll Remember, a choral concert built around the classic Beatles song, “In My Life”. “It’s about places, but it’s also about our memories–a bit more personal and connected to the choir members than our usual shows,” explains Laura. “In addition to our amazing rhythm section, we’ll also have a string ensemble joining us for memorable classics by the Beatles, Billy Joel, Simon & Garfunkel, Neil Diamond (and many more).”

Prior to joining Theatre Ancaster, Laura was Music Director of the UWO Choir, Addison Women’s Choir and the Guelph Community Singers. She is currently the Director of Music at Knox Presbyterian Church in Milton and an Adjunct Professor in the School of Education at Redeemer University, where she helps teacher candidates effectively integrate performing arts into their classrooms. A former music teacher herself, Laura believes that “the arts are not just something we do, but an integral part of who we are.”

Looking back on her time at Theatre Ancaster so far, Laura pinpoints a choral version of “Bohemian Rhapsody” as a favourite performance. The Chorus will be reprising that selection at a special concert with the Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra in May entitled Movie Magic. The best, however, may still be yet to come. “I definitely have a wish list of songs I’ve been working my way through!” explains Laura. “I’m going to keep those a secret for now.”