About Us

Gerald LaRonde – Choral Director

Gerald is a retired high school music teacher who has been a part of the music-making scene in Pembroke and area for many years. He received Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education degrees from Queen’s University.  Gerald has been music director for productions by the former Pembroke Musical Society, Pembroke Little Theatre, Streetlight Theatre, as well as a number of musicals presented by Fellowes High School. He is currently music director at The Church of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, and our Choral Director since 2011.

Darlene TerMarsch – Accompanist

Darlene TerMarsch is well-known throughout the Ottawa Valley for her skills as a pianist and accompanist. She studied piano and voice through the Royal Conservatory of Music. Since 1991, she has been the Music Director/Consultant at St. George’s Protestant Chapel, Garrison Petawawa; however, her experience as a Church Organist began at The Church of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, Pembroke, at the age of 14. In addition to the Pembroke Community Choir, Darlene has been involved with the Kiwanis Music Festival, Legion Swing Band, Pembroke Musical Society, Deep River Symphony Orchestra, Pembroke Symphony Orchestra, Deep River Cantando Singers, Ottawa Valley Music Festival Chorus, Streetlight Theatre Company, Michelle’s School of Performing Arts, Atyeo’s Dance Studio, and The Kitchissippi Jazz Kats.

2023-24 Board of Directors

President (acting): Bentley Horne

Vice-President/Registrar: Geoff Middleton

Secretary: Linda Arsenault

Treasurer: Norbert Puetz

Facilities & Concert Convenor: Bentley Horne

Music Librarian: Patricia Charette

Publicist: Jane Hebert

Webmaster: Jill Renault

Fundraiser: Carol Ripley

Social Convenor: Claudette Thanasse

Historian: Mike Tharby

Past President (non-voting): Joan Boucher

The board is assisted by many volunteers, including Diane Wolfgram and Henri Picard (Social).

Community Involvement

For several years, we have provided “warm-up” Christmas carolling at the Cenotaph before the Parade of Lights. In 2016, we entered a singing float in the Parade, and won the Mayor’s Award! Our first of 3 flash mobs was at the Christkindlmarkt in 2013. In various years, we have provided carollers for the Pembroke and Petawawa libraries, the Downtown Pembroke Shop Hop, the PRH’s Christmas Home Tour, and the Community Living Christmas Party. During the pandemic, small groups went carolling in Pembroke neighbourhoods, spreading some much-needed cheer.

The Choir brings entertainment to local long-term care facilities and retirement homes.  We often take selections from our Spring concert to Marianhill and Miramichi. In 2017, we took a bus to Renfrew to entertain the seniors at Bonnechere Manor.  We have also visited the Chartwell Residences (Pinewood and Heritage), Supples Landing, and Carefor Cecelia.

For many years, the Choir competed in the local Kiwanis Music Festival. The Choir also sponsors a trophy to be awarded to a Youth Choir at the closing Festival of Stars.

For the Olympic Torch ceremonies at Pembroke’s Marina prior to the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, the Choir was selected to sing the Anthem “There’s a light / Cette flamme”, composed by Gregory Charles.

In the Fall of 2006, the Choir was featured at “The Last Night of the Proms”, a benefit concert for the Kiwanis Snowsuit Fund.

On Canada Day 2000, the Choir led a mass choir in a singing processional from the Pembroke Armouries to the Marina. There, an interdenominational service was held to dedicate the new Riverwalk Amphitheatre.

The Choir has hosted a number of InterChoir Workshops, where members of other area choirs are invited to join us in attending various clinics to improve our singing skills, and putting them into practice in a mass choir concert.

The Choir also maintains an extensive Lending Library of music that it has performed, which it is happy to share with other choirs in the community. See our Library page for details.