The Muskoka Rock Choir’s “Hope Springs Eternal” spring concert, which was scheduled to take place at the Algonquin Theatre in Huntsville on April 7 has been cancelled. However, the concert will take place as scheduled at the Bracebridge Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre on Saturday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m.
A note on the Algonquin Theatre website states: “Due to unforseen (sic) circumstances, Muskoka Rock Choir’s “Hope Springs Eternal” on April 7th 2023 has been cancelled. The Theatre will be in contact to issue refunds in the coming days. We thank you for your continued patronage.”
Huntsville Doppler reached out to Muskoka Rock Choir regarding the cancellation and Music Director Ian Crowley explained that it was due to poor ticket sales.
“This is the first show in 21 shows that we have had to cancel due to poor ticket sales. We sold out our concert in December (400 seats) but the completely sold out run of Beauty and the Beast (3200 seats) combined with the Easter Weekend, killed our ticket sales in Huntsville,” wrote Crowley via email. “There is a break-even point of 200 seats in Huntsville, (we were at 63) and we not only wouldn’t be able to donate to our season’s charity, we would have lost money. I felt it better to have just the one show in the smaller theatre and try to combine the two audiences. I realize the timing is not the best,” he added.
Tickets for the concert in Bracebridge are available by e-transfer to [email protected]. Tickets will also be available at the door on April 7th, stated Crowley.
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I was a member of the Muskoka Rock Choir from its inception until Covid temporarily shut it down. I looked forward to every rehearsal, retreat and concert. It was great fun and I made many new friends over the years. I’m sorry ticket sales for this year’s spring performance in Huntsville were slow because an incredible amount of work goes into every concert. Our choir leader Ian Crowley is second to none. He encourages everyone and anyone to come and sing. Hopefully this blip in ticket sales won’t discourage Ian and members of the choir from continuing to raise their voices in joyful song.
In reality, Huntsville IS a choir town. There are a number of very successful choirs that operate in Huntsville, Ontario, including Muskoka Rock Choir.
Or family went through a difficult time when my mother passed away in August 2012. My sisters and I visited All Saints Anglican Church to arrange the funeral. There, on the same secretary’s desk, was a poster for the Muskoka Rock Choir’s first season. Although a little hesitant, I joined. I never looked back as the choir was the best thing I could have done.
The Muskoka Rock Choir was an opportunity for people from all walks of life to gather and sing together. Lasting friendships were made. Local musicians were hired to accompany the choir. Family members enjoyed watching their brave loved ones sing to sold out shows. Ian is a terrific leader who always kept us working hard to strive for excellence.
Let’s support choirs in Huntsville. I will be travelling to Bracebridge to cheer on the Muskoka Rock Choir.
We are not a “choir” town. We may be a small northern community, but we’re rock & roll all the way!