THE MACS CHOIR by Terence Wu

¡° Nice people, great team and beautiful singing!¡± This is perhaps the best way I could describe the members of the MACS Choir.

The MACS Choir Will Be Performing in Ottawa!


The MACS Choir has been in existence since 1975. It all started when a small group of enthusiastic friends took turn to host the informal biweekly gathering at home to sing. By 1977, the practices took on a more structured format and were usually held after the Saturday classes at the Academy. It then evolved rapidly into a fully developed Chinese Choir that held practices regularly and engaged in performances in various cultural and major community events. Despite the changes in membership over the years, the spirit and the desire to promote Chinese Culture and to relate to the broader communities has remained the same.

The MACS choir has gained reputation in the communities through its representation and appearances in performances such as the Echo of Spring Concert which is a joint event with the Italian Cultural Centre (Centro Caboto), the Diversity Sings Concert organized by the Manitoba Choral Association, and the many cultural and social functions organized by our Academy.

The Echo of Spring Concert is entering the 6th anniversary this year. The popular annual concert held in the month of May with the Italian community provides an opportunity for the MACS Choir to showcase some of the songs that the members have learned and rehearsed during the year. It is also a concert to promote the cultural awareness of the two communities. The event is in the format of formal dinner and concert. Despite the formal setting, it has always been a warm and intimate gathering for friends and supporters.

The Diversity Sings on the other hand is a weeklong project during the month of June involving many local choral groups of different ethnic backgrounds with the objective of promoting multi-culturalism.

It has been a long tradition of the MACS Choir to organize the annual Christmas Party and Concert at the Sek On Toi Chinese Senior Home in December. This informal gathering in collaboration with the Chinese Lutheran Church Choir has been an annual event for over twenty years. It is a very rewarding experience for all choir members to share the joy and happiness with the seniors during the season of greetings.

The MACS choir, under the guidance of our conductor Mr. Peter Hung, meets regularly on Sundays for practices. Mr. Hung has been the conductor of the MACS Choir since the choir¡¯s inception except for a few short years. We are very grateful for his contribution with his expertise in the musical field and his long-term dedication. The choir practices are usually held at the Centro Caboto Centre at 1055 Wilkes Ave. on Sundays between 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

There are currently about 30 choir members. Pin Yin is provided with the lyrics so it is an extremely helpful opportunity for those who are learning the Pin Yin system of Mandarin to practice what they have learned in the Saturday classes.

For those who may be interested in joining the MACS Choir, please contact the MACS Choir Director, Mr. Terence Wu.