Inter-Mennonite Children’s Choir

Inter-Mennonite Children’s Choir

Dates of Creation: 1967-2007, predominant 1967-1993

Physical Description: 38 cm of textual material; 2 cm of objects

Administrative History: The Inter-Mennonite Children's Choir (IMCC) was first proposed in 1966 under the leadership of Dr. Helen Martens, professor of music at Conrad Grebel College. In the fall of 1967 the choir began its first season. The choir consisted of children age 7-16 (since 2005, the age range has been 6-15). IMCC was originally sponsored by the Conrad Grebel Women's Association and utilized practice space provided by the college. The administrative responsibilities of the choir fell to a sub-committee of the Conrad Grebel Women's Association. Over time, choir administration shifted to a more independent committee of parents and volunteers, but still remains affiliated with the college.

The choir brought children from various Mennonite and other churches and the broader community to learn to sing the best sacred music. The choir hosted live performances at the college as well as churches and venues around Kitchener and Waterloo. The choir also undertook international tours to Europe and the United States.

The IMCC has recorded several performances and produced multiple albums including: Be Joyful (1979), Sing to the Lord a Song (1992), Sing For Joy (1994), We Are The Children (2002), Joyful Celebration (2007), and What Sweeter Music (2012). The IMCC has participated in many competitions and festivals, receiving awards from institutions such as the Kiwanis Music Festival Association and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. In their 1972/1973 season, the choir performed personally for Prime Minister Trudeau and the Governor General Roland Michener. In 2004, the IMCC formed and administered the Inter-Mennonite Youth Choir.

Custodial History: Choir records have been received from Conrad Grebel University College in several accruals. A major donation came from the choir through Carolyn Vanderburgh in 2009.

Scope and Content: The series contains member lists, committee minutes, programmes, correspondence, and memorabilia collected or produced by the choir.

This series consists of the following files:

Note: Photographs were removed from this series and will be placed in the
Mennonite Archival Information Database.

Note: Published audio recordings of the IMCC are listed in the CGUC Library Catalogue.
Unpublished audio recordings can be found in Hist.Mss. 9.19 and Hist.Mss.20.
Audio visual recordings of the choir can be found in Hist.Mss. 26. 

1. Administrative records (arranged by concert season)
   1967/1968-2005/2006, 2012/13 (brochure only)
2. Undated administrative records 
3. Newsletters
   Choir Notes, 1980-1994
4. Children's artwork
5. Realia
6. Oversize materials (primarily posters, news clippings, certificates)
   Note: Located in map case.
7. Timelines
   1965-1992
   1979-1982
8. News clippings
   Original
   Photocopies
9. Concert programs (photocopies)