about our choir
Kingston Senior Choristers: A Community Tradition
Kingston Senior Choristers is a community-based choir that was established in the autumn of 2005 under the leadership of Lynda Stoness, with members of the former Mary Fisher 55Plus Choir.
The choir originally held rehearsals at the Seniors Centre on Francis Street. Today, the ensemble, which consists of approximately 90 choristers, gathers for rehearsals at Bay Park Baptist Church on Progress Avenue.
The choir’s repertoire features a blend of folk, jazz, and spiritual songs. The group typically performs in four-part harmony and frequently collaborates with soloists and guest musicians during concerts.
The choir has benefitted greatly from the dedication and skill of several outstanding piano accompanists throughout its history. Notable accompanists included Marilyn Wesson, Ted Brown, and Kate Van Allen, who served with the group for ten years, as well as Beverly Koski.
The concert location changed over the years, and now the Salvation Army Citadel has become the preferred venue for both spring and fall performances, offering an excellent setting for the choir’s concerts.
In recognition of the ongoing support from their audiences, the Kingston Senior Choristers has made annual donations to registered charities within the community.
Caroline Dowling
Music Director
Caroline is a retired secondary school teacher, and is involved in choirs and musical ensembles in the Kingston and surrounding community. She has a Bachelor of Music degree from Queen’s with a minor in Math, from ‘back in the day’. Currently living on an island in the St. Lawrence River, Caroline dabbles in gardening and farming with her husband.
Lynda Stoness
Music Director Emerita
Lynda is the founder and former director of the Kingston Senior Choristers, and currently sings with the choir’s alto section. Born and raised in Kingston, she is a retired music teacher and an accomplished artist. She studied at Peterborough Teacher’s College and Queen’s University, and received her Master’s Degree in Choral Music from the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, N.Y. In 2020, Lynda was awarded the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteerism.
Stella ter Hart
Accompanist
Stella ter Hart is a Canadian composer, educator, adjudicator and accompanist. She is
the only individual in Canada to have been awarded all four available diplomas from the
Toronto Conservatory of Music: piano pedagogy, piano performance, composition and
theory. Stella has served as an Examiner for the Toronto Conservatory for over 10 years. She is presently the Artistic Director of the Frontenac Women’s Chorus and the adult mixed choir, Melodia.
We are very grateful for her collaboration with the Kingston Senior Choristers for our concerts.