Global song has come to Montreal, in the form of the Inshallah Choir of the new Kanata Centre for Global Song, an outreach of the Waterloo Lutheran Seminary.

On the Friday evening, April 16, 2010, the choir was greeted at a welcoming reception hosted by Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Dollard-des-Ormeaux. After the initial greetings by Pastor Jim Slack of that congregation, as well as those of other representatives of the Montreal Lutheran Council, notably the Rev. Dr. Matthew Anderson and Pastor Eric Dyck, followed by remarks from the Dean of the Waterloo Lutheran Seminary, the Rev.Dr. David Pfrimmer, the choir broke into spontaneous song. Almost immediately, the choir director, Debbie Lou Ludolph, had the whole room swaying and involved in the singing.

On Saturday afternoon, April 17, 2010, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, the choir led open workshops for anyone interested in how singing and global music can be rich resources to add to our worship.

The concert began at 5:00pm. Opening for the Inshallah Choir were the members of the local Montreal Kantele Ensemble of St. Michael’s Finnish Lutheran Church, who played four traditional pieces designed for this national instrument of Finland.

Montreal Kantele Ensemble

 

[Watch an excerpt of the Ensemble performing 'Päätöslaulu' ]

Then the Inshallah Choir took the stage for well over an hour of delightful spiritual music from around the world.

The Inshalah Choir at St. John's Lutheran Church

 

[Watch the Choir singing 'Enter into Jerusalem' (from Jamaica)]
[Watch the Choir singing 'Yarabba Ssalaami' (from Palestine)]

The Luther Pub Night followed, during which parishioners and concert attendees were given the opportunity to mingle with the choir members, as all enjoyed good, wholesome food, drink, music and dancing, all to raise funds for the Seminary.

Those attending morning worhip on Sunday, April 18, 2010 at St. John’s Lutheran Church were given one last opportunity to hear the choir perform before they headed back to their home in Waterloo.

[Read the Initial Announcement of the Choir Visit]

submitted by Roger Kenner, webmaster and reporter