PEI Culture Vulture

06/06/2026

04/16/2026

Forte’s 10th anniversary Mothers Day concert

It started with an unusual birthday present. Margot Rejskind promised her husband Dick Bird a men’s choir — in which Dick, of course, could sing. It previewed in the lobby of CBC as a contribution to the Turkey Drive, and gave its first concert, titled “Let All Men Sing”, in May of 2016.
For ten years now, Forte Men’s Choir has been presenting Christmas and Mothers Day concerts. Margot got busier through the following years: job, three choirs, President of Choral Canada … and raising a teenage daughter! After her husband died, she was tempted to drop the men’s choir. But she just couldn’t: in a way, it was a continuing tribute to Dick … and it was, as she says, “just too much fun!”
Forte will celebrate its tenth anniversary on Sunday afternoon, May 10th — Mothers Day — in a concert whose program looks back over the years — favourites of both audience and members, and Margot’s own choices … hits from Les Mis, folk and drinking ditties, Scottish and Welsh standards, American spiritual, revival tune and lullaby. “Let the Life I’ve Lived” will be a tribute to Dick Bird, and “A Parting Blessing” will be sung by the dozens of men who have been Forte members over the years. Jacqueline Sorenson Young provides piano accompaniment for the choir.
Want a pleasant Mothers Day treat? “A Decade of Harmony” with Forte on Sunday, May 10th, 2:30 pm at the Kirk of St. James. Admission is just $15 (cash) at the door.
Information: www.facebook.com/FORTEPEI; [email protected]; 902-628-6778

03/29/2026

Haydn's THE CREATION
April 26th at St. Paul's
Haydn’s masterpiece oratorio, The Creation, starts with a bang — indeed, like the Big Bang itself. There’s formless chaos … and suddenly there is Light! What follows is a musical painting of those momentous first six days: waters, land and skies; the trees and plants; sun, moon and stars; sea creatures and birds; the multitudes of animals; and finally, humankind. It’s the story of Genesis, with additional references from the Psalms and Milton’s Paradise Lost, told by soloists with wonderful choruses and grand orchestral underpinnings.
Dr. Margot Rejskind conducts the 60 performers of Luminos Ensemble and Orchestra and the Island Choral Society in an hour and a half of majestic musical drama.
Sunday afternoon (3:00 pm), April 26th, at St. Paul’s church in downtown Charlottetown (Grafton at Church St.)
Admission: $25/15 online (+ fee) at luminosensemble.com or cash (only) at-the-door. Children free.
Information: [email protected]; 902-628-6778