History of the Carleton Choristers

November 24, 1992 – The Carleton Choristers was formed in the kitchen of Marilyn ( McLeod) Lester when she invited several friends who liked to sing to gather and rehearse a few carols so they could go out and entertain at area nursing homes.  Those singers enjoyed the experience so much, they decided to continue.  David Goss arranged for the new group to practice at St. George’s Church on the west side and, as that was the parish of Carleton, the group took on the name of the Carleton Choristers.  Also present that night was pianist, John Higgins, who became volunteer accompanist for the group.  Soon after, Norm Toole became the first director, both of whom continued with the group until approximately 2006.  Under their guidance, the singers visited nursing homes, sang at local malls, performed special sing-outs in local churches and presented a Christmas and Spring concert on the West Side of the city, where few such performances were offered.

September, 2006 – Claire Driscoll became director and merged a choir she had begun on Germain Street Baptist Church named Joyful Noise with the Choristers. With this addition, the choir grew to approximately fifty voices. 

Spring 2007 – The Carleton Choristers entered the Music Festival for the first time, receiving a silver award for their presentation.

Fall 2007 – John Higgins, after 14 years of service, relinquished his role as Accompanist in order to further his education.  Terri Lynn Russell (with some persuasion from Claire) assisted as accompanist and fit in very well.

Fall 2008 – Terri Lynn felt the call of Broadway and took on a role in “Chicago.” Christopher Lane joined the group as the Accompanist.

April 2009 – The choir entered the Music Festival and again received silver awards.  They continued to sing at nursing homes and at public events around Saint John as requested.

Fall 2012 - Christopher Lane became director and Elaine Boulanger was the accompanist.

Fall 2013 – Claire Driscoll assumed the role of accompanist.  The choir continued to offer Christmas and Spring concerts and, in the previous two seasons, sang at the Assumption Church Christmas concert.  Through the years the group has performed on the Empty Stocking Fund local television broadcast and in the Rogers’ Christmas Specials.  Most years, the choir sang at Brunswick Square shopping complex in uptown Saint John.

2020 – Singing groups were among the multitude affected by the COVID pandemic, forcing the cancellation of three annual concerts: Spring and Christmas of 2020 and Spring of 2021.  The Christmas concert in December 2021 was the first “masked” event.

June 2023 – Carleton Choristers has its first unmasked concert since the beginning of the pandemic.