Our Story

Our Beginnings

Renamed in 2014 to honour its late founder Margaret Tobin, Margaret’s Choir began as Spirit’s Call Choir. Spirit’s Call Choir began in November 2000 as an outgrowth of an “Explorations of the Self” workshop with Dorothy Becker and Margaret Tobin when people who had been told or believed they couldn’t sing found their voices and decided to form a choir! The choir has become a musical home for novice to accomplished singers and musicians and for those who love to “SING FOR THE JOY!” The choir continues to welcome anyone who thought they couldn’t sing.

Listen to Margaret Tobin, our founder, being interviewed on the occasion of our 10th anniversary.

Choir Culture

Margaret’s Choir offers a non-audition community choir that is committed to providing a welcoming and supportive environment for all who want to sing – whatever their experience. All choir members contribute to this atmosphere of positive acceptance, in singing and other activities.

Essential aspects of choir culture include creating a welcoming atmosphere and climate of safety for individual vocal expression, facilitating group harmony and cohesion, and conveying musical knowledge in a way that is accepting, encouraging, empowering, and joyful. While we do polish things up and delight in making the best sound we can for our “gigs,” the beauty of our sound comes from the freedom and energy of joyful singing with intention from the heart more than from critical attention to technical perfection!

Our Team

Katy Harmer (she/her) has been our Artistic Director since 2021. She is a choral conductor, singer, and educator based in Winnipeg with a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Manitoba. She is also currently the Music Director at St. Andrew's River Heights United Church and the founding Artistic Director of Winnipeg Upper Voices. She has recently directed the University of Manitoba Singers, sung with Dead of Winter, and led choral workshops for choirs of all levels in and around Winnipeg. Katy believes strongly in the power of choir to bring people together in community and brings this philosophy to all her musical ventures and collaborations.

Charmaine Bacon (BMus, MMus) has been our Pianist since 2015. Originally from Russell, Manitoba, Charmaine is a freelance pianist, organist, and flutist based in Winnipeg. She performs in her own recital series 'Charmaine & Friends', is pianist for Joie de Vivre, Margaret's Choir, and the Oak Park Collegiate choir, and is musician-in-residence at Charleswood United Church. Charmaine plays as an extra musician with the RCAF Band, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and Manitoba Chamber Orchestra. She teaches privately in Charleswood and is the flute specialist at Pembina Trails Collegiate. Charmaine is president of both the Music Professionals of Manitoba (AFM 190) and the RCCO Winnipeg Centre.

The Dream Team acts as the the choir’s organizational body. It has representation from all singing sections and meets regularly to consider choir matters. If you have suggestions feel free to speak to any of the Dream Team members.

  • Soprano: Fran Booth, Carol-Ann Leschasin, Louise Pujo, Diane Heibert

  • Alto: Kerry Strom

  • Tenor: Robert Campbell, Leonard Greenwood(Chair), Sheila Norrie

  • Bass: Gene Degen, Patrick Stewart

Many people work behind the scenes on tasks that make this a truly collaborative community choir. Some people you may need to contact:

Member’s Experiences

“Quote #1 - still to be requested

Member Name

“Quote #2”

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“Quote #3”

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“Quote #4”

Tenor Member

Samples from our Song Library

Membership Over Time

This Spring we currently have 80 members registered.    Alto 33  Sop 28 Tenor 10  Bass 7.  We welcome 2 new members.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No! The teaching methods of our Artistic Director and the support tools we provide mean you don’t have to be able to read music. Many choir members can’t.

  • Not at all. It’s completely optional and there are members who love to sing but choose not to perform.

  • We want everyone to be able to participate if they want. Please fill out the “Contact Us” section to enquire about paying based on capacity.

  • There are both leadership opportunities and general opportunities. The Administrative Chair will put out the call when new members of the Dream Team are required, and also identify the skillset that would be most helpful at that time.
    There are also general opportunities to help with setup and takedown at performances etc.

  • Social connection is very important to our purpose. Every season we have a very well attended potluck dinner, with performances by individuals or groups within the choir as entertainment.
    And every rehearsal has opportunities to socialize before, during the break, and after.

  • Yes, with thanks. Some members are able to give more financial support to the choir and do so through adding a gift onto their membership fee that season.