CMWC North Bay
As of 2019 the 20 members of the CMWC North Bay represent 330 years of military service across all three branches of the Canadian Armed Forces, Air Force, Army and Navy. Here is their story,
Dream it.
The Canadian Military Wives Choir (CMWC) North Bay was founded in 2016 by current choir president Rosanna Matheson. In May of that year Brenda McLay agreed to become the choir’s first Music Director(MD). Rosanna and Brenda together attended the 22 Wing Welcome in order to recruit members for the new choir. The Choir’s first Practice was held on Sept 12, 2016 with 9 choir members and Brenda as the MD making a total of 10 ladies.
Grow it.
The Choir grew to 20 members strong pre COVID,. Due to COVID and postings our numbers have dropped. Now that things have returned to normal, we are slowly growing again.
The Canadian Military Wives Choir North Bay has performed at many local venues including The Legion, OHL and University Hockey Games, local and distant Senior Centres and with the 22 Wing Band at the Capitol Centre here in North Bay. Additionally, we have also been lucky to have joined other sister choirs for some larger venues in Ottawa and Toronto. We performed at the opening ceremony of the INVICTUS Games in Toronto in 2017, also at Roy Thomson Hall and joined the Canadian Armed Forces Central Band for a Remembrance Day Concert at the Aviation Museum in Ottawa.
Meet the Musical Director who helps bring this wonderful group together, Lina Hunter
Lina Hunter has studied classical piano for more than 10 years and has also taught piano lessons through her own private practice which is how she started meeting military families. Lina has been playing the organ at church since the age of 10 and for the last 27 years, she has been the Music Director for the Queen of Peace Chapel at 22 Wing, North Bay. Over the years she has also been part of the Near North Voices Choir in North Bay. Lina started directing our choir in 2022 and she has found great satisfaction conducting the choir, meeting new friends, and ensuring we all have fun.