Blog

• New Wheat Variety Named After Late Local Woman Kirsty Hanson • Apr 1, 2025

  A Swift Current woman was given a lasting legacy after the recent naming of a new wheat variety, AAC Oakman, as a tribute to her life.

• New Director Search Mark Anderson • Mar 10, 2025

  Our choir recently celebrated 50 years of bringing uplifting choral music to southwest Saskatchewan. We are a non-auditioned group made up of about 50 singers from Swift Current and surrounding communities, guided by a Board of Directors made up of choir members. We rehearse at Zion Mennonite Church, a venue known for its acoustics, on Monday evenings from 7:30 to 9:30 pm.

• My Journey With SCOC Arlie Neufeld • Nov 12, 2023

  Where do I begin? My husband, Bob and I moved to Swift Current in August, 1974. We started attending St. Olaf Lutheran Church where it wasn’t long before I was one of the organists and started playing for the senior choir under the direction of Joyce Olesen. It was through Joyce that I heard about the Oratorio choir and she encouraged me to join. I believe it was sometime in 1975. Practices were at the Swift Current Bible Institute with John Poettcker as our very capable director and Bev Dyck as our wonderful accompanist.

• SCOC Awarded at Provincial Level Marcia McLean • Jun 13, 2023

  The Swift Current Oratorio Choir, directed by Marcia Mclean, was recently awarded the Mary Anderson Memorial Choral Sacred Scholarship by the Saskatchewan Music Festival Association. The choir just celebrated its 50th Anniversary and this is the first time that they have entered the provincial music festival.

• Recap of Our 50th Anniversary Celebration Marcia McLean • Apr 30, 2023

  The 50th season of choral music was celebrated by the Swift Current Oratorio Choir on April 23 at Zion Mennonite Church. This concluded a season of rehearsals and a banquet for choir members before the dress rehearsal. The evening concert included musical selections from past performances and a slide show which featured the choir, soloists and conductors from the inception of the choir to present day.

• Come Home Marcia McLean • Apr 11, 2023

  This song, “Come Home” by Donna Rhodenizer was performed at the SC Oratorio 2022 Christmas Concert. Photos of Saskatchewan were solicited from various photographers and compiled by choir member Tami Wall. Video editing was done choir member, Kerry Braun.

• Some of Our Favourite Composers Tara Christiansen • Nov 23, 2022

  Over the years, we’ve sung repertoire by many famous composers. Those listed below are some of the ones of whom we’ve grown particularly fond over the years. Looking for some quality choral music to which to listen? Check out these links:

• Canada Sings for the Ukraine Marcia McLean • Sep 20, 2022

  On September 24, many choirs across Canada will be raising their voices in song to help bring peace to the Ukraine.

  The goal is for all choirs, vocal groups and singing enthusiasts to sing simultaneously across Canada. Start times are staggered according to time zones. Saskatchewan will start at 1:00 pm. Everyone is invited to participate regardless of age, vocal skills, or size of group.

• A New Season Marcia McLean • Sep 4, 2022

  September has arrived and so has the time to sing! The Swift Current Oratorio Choir fall session begins on Monday, September 12 and we invite all new and former singers to come out and make joyful sounds together! Some people find the name of the choir a little formal—even formidable. We are quite the opposite! Rehearsals are light and enjoyable, and we always leave rehearsal with a smile.

• A Season's End Message from Our President Mark Anderson • Apr 27, 2022

  First of all, a huge THANK YOU to everyone that sang with us this winter/spring/winter/winter/spring/winter/season. It was a difficult season for many reasons and the weather was our chief adversary. It seemed every Monday was winter storm day! I know I have never missed as many rehearsals in any winteras I did this year! It was great to get together again, and even masked we made some pretty fine music as we were learning our concert pieces. It was a relief to be able to present a concert without masks!! Illness was always stalking us too and thanks again for everyone that rose from their sick beds and returned to choir. We applaud your efforts! I am sure this is a season Marcia will perhaps try to not muse too much upon.

• Happy New Year Everyone! Mark Anderson • Jan 3, 2022

  We were very fortunate to again begin rehearsals and singing as a choir for the fall session. It was wonderful to see old and new friends come together to make music and fellowship. Our numbers were smaller for the fall season but we certainly did not lack in enthusiasm. We were fortunate to present a small concert on December 13 for a limited audience of invited family and guests. It was a very enjoyable evening to be able to sing a great selection of old and new favourites during the Christmas season. Marcia did a wonderful job of selecting interesting and lovely music to sing for our first concert since Covid19 interrupted and changed our routines. Amy kept us in tune, and usually, up to speed. We are so lucky to have her talents at the keyboard!

• A Life of Choral Music Marcia McLean • Sep 25, 2021

  Singing has always been a constant in my life. I find it almost impossible to recall moments when I haven’t been singing in a choir or directing a choir. Choral singing is at the core of my being.

• We Have Had Singing Joyce Olesen • Aug 31, 2021

  I have been a part of the Oratorio Choir for the better part of 50 years, starting in about 1974 after my third child was born. Monday nights have been a highlight ever since.  

• Reflections on Music in my Life Claire Verret • Jun 16, 2021

  Growing up Catholic in Swift Current in the 50s, I was not exposed to a lot of choral music—except in church. That was more congregational singing, but occasionally we had a priest with an excellent voice. I remember one who would reverently perform “O Holy Night” every Christmas. Even as a youngster it would give me goosebumps. There was also something haunting about the Latin chants common at the time in our church.

• It's Never Too Early to Start Jill Jahnke • Apr 13, 2021

  Have you ever thought about the first time you heard music? I am 30 weeks pregnant and my husband and I have been reading a day-by-day pregnancy book that tells us what is developing with the baby as time progresses. It was interesting to me to read that around 26 weeks the baby is able to hear and recognize sounds in utero!

• What Makes the Swift Current Oratorio Choir Successful Jennifer Shygera • Feb 12, 2021

  As we near the one-year mark of life without choir, I find myself reflecting on the reasons behind the success of our small-city community choir. What makes me confident that when we can again gather and sing, our longstanding choral organization will continue to function? In no particular order, here are my top ten conclusions.

• SCOC Home Rehearsal Recordings Merle Nostbakken • Jan 18, 2021

  Have you wondered who did the terrific job of mixing the recordings of individual parts made by select members of the Swift Current Oratorio Choir last fall? CHAD KETTERING of Dallas, Texas, volunteered to help us out by using his recording studio to mix and finalize each piece of music.

• Why I Sing Jessie Hanna • Dec 31, 2020

  Music has always been a big part of my life. As a child I would listen to my Dad and Mom sing as we would take those slow Sunday drives to check out how the crops were doing, or just going to visit relatives. Mom’s voice was a beautiful mellow alto, while Dad ranged from tenor into a middle bass range. The harmony was mesmerizing to say the least.

• Remembrance Day Mark Anderson • Nov 11, 2020

  Facebook, and I imagine, all the social media is busy with people sharing pictures and stories of their family members that served in the Armed Forces, some of them paying the ultimate sacrifice.