The choir has been rehearsing since August this year for their seven performances around the Hunter area in December.

Original members Myra Hill and Shirley and Julie Hickey have said how much they have enjoyed performing in and the fellowship of the choir, and are saddened that it must come to an end this year.

Shirley remembers when the Choir first started in 1974 there was no conductor and the singers took their lead from Myra on the piano.  

Shirley, gifted with a beautiful soprano voice has sung many solos. 

Along with her daughter Julie, Shirley’s other daughter Susan has also performed in the Cantata Choir. 

Julie joined the choir as a teenager, and started as a soprano and now sings alto.

She has sung many duets with her sister Susan and mother Shirley. 

Along with conducting, Myra has performed as the accompanist of the choir, which she has done since Melanie Rees took on the role of conductor eight years ago. 

Melanie also sang in the choir as a teenager. She has said she has enjoyed the challenge of teaching the choir their parts and putting it all together to create the harmonies. 

The final Cantata season “Celebrating Christmas” can be heard at: 

- Kurri Congregational Church on Tuesday December 2 at 7.30pm. 

- Bethshan Community Church Wyee on Sunday December 7 at 2.30pm.

- St John’s Anglican Church Cessnock on Tuesday December 9 at 7.30 pm.

- St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church East Maitland on Sunday December 14 at 2.30pm.

- Cessnock Uniting Church on Sunday December 21 at 2.30pm.