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A platform for young singers

October 13, 2017   ·   0 Comments

By Marni Walsh

International opera star Mark DuBois sang with every major orchestra across the country and abroad during his busy operatic and concert career, performing for audiences that included queens, popes and presidents. In recent years, he has shared his musical gifts with area vocal students, and stresses the importance of concerts “to give young talent an opportunity to perform on a professional level.”

On Sunday, Sept. 24, Ebenezer United Church in Relessey was filled with an audience for the young students providing a platform for the DuBois Studio Singers who, in return, donated the funds to support the charming, historic church nestled in Mono.

Built in 1870 and still used occasionally today, the church was the heart of Relessey, a village settled in 1840 by Irish immigrant Charles Maguire. Mr. Maguire held church services in his home until a log building was established as a Wesleyan Methodist Church, on what is now the corner of the 5th Line Mono and County Road 8.

That church was eventually replaced by the present building in 1870. Constructed in the Gothic Revival style, Ebenezer United Church was designated an Ontario Heritage Property in 1994. The church lands are also home to a peaceful cemetery shaded by old maples and evergreens next to the church.

The church and cemetery are very dear to Mr. DuBois’ heart, as it is here that his entire family rests. His parents first came to Mono in the early 1960s to buy a weekend property, where, still a child, Mark was introduced to the little church in Relessey. Mr. DuBois and his wife Maria eventually bought the property from his parents and raised their family at the Mono property.

Mr. DuBois and his Studio Singers presented the “Last Songs of Summer” featuring beautiful Classical, Broadway and Pop performances by Julia Obermeyer, Angela Van Breeman, Rosalind Fu, Elisabeth DuBois, Christopher DuBois, Morgan Taylor, Darcey Baker, Duncan Lang, Zander Marks, Cameron Glenday, Lukas Rohner-Tensee, Emma Szabo, Kira Kuhla, Maria DuBois and of course Mr. DuBois who thrilled audiences with his beautiful tenor voice while taking on the task of pianist for the entire concert.

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