Singin’ in the Grain comes to Steinbach

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/10/2025 (201 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Singin’ in the Grain will present two fundraising concerts in support of the work of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB). Singin’ in the Grain is the name attached to the small committee of people who organize annual concerts, convinced that not only farmers can help address food security issues around the world. The committee organizes these free concerts annually to offer city-dwellers and others an opportunity to support the work of the Foodgrains Bank, a consortium of Canadian Christian aid agencies who do relief and development work around the world.

The 2025 concerts will feature two community choirs: the Prairie Singers, from the Altona and Winker area, and the Accent Singers based in Steinbach. These two mixed voice ensembles will present concerts at the Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Winkler on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m., and at the Evangelical Mennonite Church in Steinbach on Oct. 26 at 3 p.m. The concerts offer free admission, but all concert-goers will be invited and encouraged to support the work of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. The focus this year will be on the CFGB South Sudan campaign, and funds raised will go to the MCC account at CFGB. Since all performers and organizers volunteer their time, and sponsors cover all costs of the concerts, every dollar donated at the concerts will go directly to the work of addressing food security concerns around the world.

Many of us have been moved and amazed by the sight of dozens of combines and grain carts cleaning off a field of ripe grain in record time as farmers mobilize to harvest a CFGB designated field. Seeing close to a hundred singers from a wide range of backgrounds coming together to offer their time and talent to help feed hungry people is an equally stirring sight. The Singin’ in the Grain concerts will again this year offer an opportunity to hear wonderful music, learn about the work of CFGB, and to participate in a small way in this effort with donations and support. For more information, or to donate, visit foodgrainsbank.ca/singin.

Accent Singers

Accent Singers is an adult, non-auditioned 60-voice SATB community choir, conducted by Meredith Hutchinson and pianist Annalee Schellenberg.

In the early 2010s, local vocal instructor Sheila Ardies formed the Accent Women’s Ensemble, a 10-voice group made up of Sheila’s current and former vocal students. At the time, there weren’t a lot of choir opportunities for adults in the Steinbach area. Meredith was asked to take over in 2017 when Sheila announced she was moving provinces. She started with a roster of 20 women, performing two concerts, in winter and spring. The 2023-2024 season marked their first as the rebranded Accent Singers, a full voice choir. They continue the tradition of presenting winter and spring concerts and enjoy performing at a variety of fundraisers and holiday events. Annalee Schellenberg was brought on as pianist in 2017 and has remained a loyal collaborative partner ever since.

The choir rehearses two to three times a month, September to June. Their audiences appreciate their variety of music; genres include classical, sacred, folk, pop, Broadway, contemporary, Celtic, country and ballad.

Director Meredith Hutchinson is a middle years music teacher. She is also a freelance singer, pianist and director, staying involved as much as she can in her community by participating in weddings, funerals, church services, fundraising events and a variety of choral workshops, festivals, musicals and concerts. Her community involvement also includes acting as president of the Eastman Choral Association.

Meredith grew up in Steinbach, then moved to Winnipeg where she attended Canadian Mennonite University, University of Winnipeg and University of Manitoba.

She has been teaching in the Hanover School Division for 16 years; from Grades 1 to 9, currently 5 and 6. Meredith is entering her seventh year with Accent.

Prairie Singers

Founded in 2003 by Ben Pauls, Prairie Singers is an auditioned adult-community choir in Southern Manitoba. Through their passion for choral music, they hope to inspire and enrich the lives of their members and audiences alike. Currently led by Rick Heppner Mueller, past conductors include Loretta Thorleifson, Ed Hildebrand and most recently Marilyn Houser Hamm who now serves as their accompanist. Prairie Singers annual season includes weekly rehearsals through January to March culminating in two concerts. They sing a wide variety of choral music spanning many centuries and regions of the world, creating a diverse program that speaks to their singers just as much as to the audience.

Director Rick Heppner Mueller was born and raised in Winnipeg studying voice and conducting at CMBC/CMU and at the University of Manitoba. He spent 20 years as the choral director at MCI (Mennonite Collegiate Institute) in Gretna. During his tenure, the MCI Chamber Choir and vocal jazz ensemble Resonate performed extensively in Manitoba, toured throughout Canada and produced five recordings. He directed 20 MCI stage productions, winning the prestigious Rainbow Stage Award in 2012 for Pirates of Penzance and in 2015 for Beauty and the Beast. Over the years Rick has been involved with various regional choirs having conducted the Westman, Eastman and Central Manitoba Youth Choirs. He has conducted the Manitoba Provincial Honour Choirs on five occasions and the CAMS senior choir in 2024. Rick, now in his fourth season conducting the Prairie Singers, lives in Altona.