Local Vocals presents our 2026 Spring Concert
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 7:30pm
at Royal York Road United Church
Free Will Offering. Suggested donation $15 per adult.
Featuring Local Vocals Community Choir, solo singers, and special guests DelCrom Smooth Jazz in a program of nostalgic songs through the decades.
Collection to cover concert expenses and a donation to the Christ Church St James Food Pantry.
Cash collected at the concert
Etransfer to donations@localvocals.ca
Online via credit card or PayPal by clicking the DONATE ONLINE button below.
DelCrom Smooth Jazz
DelCrom Smooth Jazz is based right here in South Etobicoke - you may have seen Nina and Andrew busking in Humber Bay shores or playing at a local cafe. They bring the uniquely soulful sound of clarinet and saxophone to their repertoire of jazz standards. More info about the duo can be found here on their website.
Mary Bella, Music Director, Local Vocals
Mary has a passion for the power of music and singing to bring people together and build community. She began conducting about 15 years ago, when she took over the Mimico Children’s Choir, and initially started the adult Local Vocals as a fundraiser for the children's choir.
A classically trained soprano, Mary has performed in over 40 mainstage productions with the Canadian Opera Company chorus, sings with VIVA Chamber Singers whenever she can, and conducts the VIVA Voices treble choir. She also runs her own web design business, Maestra Web Design.
Becky Wicks, Piano Accompanist, Local Vocals
Becky trained classically in piano and violin at an early age, along with her three older sisters, encouraged by her musical parents. She learned to love jazz through listening to and playing with her father, a jazz saxophonist. After graduating from Western with a Bachelor of Music degree, she taught high school music and was a consultant with the Toronto Board for 30 years. She has played with a variety of choirs and ensembles. Since retirement, she has been busy as a freelance musician, playing for church services, weddings, choirs, and subbing for jazz bands. She continues to compose and arrange music.
Judy Verseghy, MC
Judy Verseghy has been enthusiastically answering Mary's call for over a decade, as a volunteer and then Community Engagement Coordinator of the Mimico Children's Choir, then as a Local Vocal herself. She believes in the importance of community and the power of song, both of which can soothe an aching spirit. She hopes each of you takes time to connect with a bit of music every day, and she is absolutely delighted to be your host for this evening.
Sharon Heldt, soloist
Sharon has over 40 years of experience in the acting profession and has performed across Canada on stage, in films and on television. Theatre appearances have included Stratford Festival, Blyth, Grand Theatre, Theatre Aquarius, and Drayton Entertainment. Film/ TV appearances included National commercials, Handmaid's Tale, and soon to be released Indy, One more before we go. sharonheldt.com
As Artistic Director of ACTING OUT Kids Theatre, she prepares young students for their arts high school auditions and also runs a summer program offering youth a chance to
hone their Music Theatre skills!
masterclass-series.com actingoutkidstheatre.ca
And finally Sharon hosts an adult improv community group in Mimico called MIMPROV in which several of our choristers participate. Come join us and have some fun!
Charlie Sadler, baritone soloist
Charlie Sadler is a singer and educator from Toronto, Canada. He is passionate about mentoring, teaching and inspiring the next generation of singers, providing them with support and enthusiasm.
Charlie currently holds Bass Lead position at VIVA Singers Community Choir and the Trinity St. Paul’s Church. He is the recipient of the U of T Faculty of Music Lobodowsky Choral Scholarship in 2022, and the Arthur Edward Redsell Scholarship in 2023. Currently Charlie is the President of University of Toronto SNATS (Student Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing), leading a team of passionate student executives who aim to inspire and teach fellow students about vocal pedagogy.
Charlie holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice from the University of Toronto and a Master's of Music Degree in Vocal Pedagogy.
Antoinette Alaimo, Carole Ann Alloway, Tanya Basok, Dana Beatson, Claire Belton, Lydia Burke, Lisa Cecchetto, Jane Chapman, Marg Clarke, Michael Colvin*, Mary Cordeiro, Sue Cumming, Nadine D'Aigle, Nicola de Roode, Heather Dick, Dawn Emmerson, Susan Fell, Laila Franic, Loreto Freire, Jennifer Gagnon, Debbie Gallant, Joan Haines, Matthias Hartwig, Sharon Heldt, Jordan Hellyer, Emily Hellyer-Joseph, Lynda Holmes, Mary Ann Johnston, Ashley King, Pat Lewis, Monika Maggiacomo, Katharine Marek, Anthony Marek, Susan Matheson, Tracey McDonald, Carole Mills, Doris Montanera, Lucy Oliveira, François Ouellette, Christine Paley, Patti Pokorchak, Joan Raymond, Judy Rupert, Charlie Sadler*, Theresa Sciberras, Eillen Sellam, Wendy Sheehy, AnneMarie Sluga, Michael Sobanski, Tim Spence, Tami Strong, Barb Symons, Susan Teoh, Tony Vacca, Wynn-Ann Wakeham, Dave Weaver
*Section lead
Soloist: Charlie Sadler
Play for me a simple melody (1914) - Irving Berlin, arr. Kirby Shaw
Blue skies (1926) - Irving Berlin / with DelCrom Smooth Jazz
It don’t mean a thing (1931) Duke Ellington, lyrics by Irving Mills / Solo: AnneMarie Sluga
All the Way (1957) / Jimmy Van Heusen
Pennies from heaven (1936) / Arthur Johnston and Johnny Burke
DelCrom Smooth Jazz
It had to be you (1924) Isham Jones, lyrics by Gus Kahn
Sharon Heldt, vocalist
That St. John’s Girl (1969) from Four Love Songs / Newfoundland Folk Song arr. John Beckwith
Charlie Sadler, baritone
Summertime (1934) from Porgy and Bess / George Gershwin
Mary Bella, soprano
☆☆☆ Free Will Offering. Suggested Donation: $15/adult ☆☆☆
Sing along! (words below)
Sentimental Journey (1964) Les Brown, Ben Homer, lyrics by Bud Green
Only you (1959) Buck Ram
California Dreaming (1963) John and Michelle Phillips
Bridge over troubled water (1970) Paul Simon and Art Garfunkle
True Colours (1986) Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, arr. Mary Bella / Solo: Sharon Heldt
SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY
Verse 1: Gonna take a sentimental journey
Gonna set my heart at ease
Gonna make a sentimental journey
To renew old memories
Verse 2: Got my bag, I got my reservation
Spent each dime I could afford
Like a child in wild anticipation
I long to hear that "All aboard"
(B SECTION)
Seven, that's the time we leave, at seven
I'll be waitin' up for heaven
Countin' every mile of railroad track
That takes me back
Verse 3:
Never thought my heart could be so yearning
Why did I decide to roam?
Gotta take a sentimental Journey
Sentimental journey home
B Section (Instrumental - listen!)
Reprise Verse 1:
Gonna take a sentimental journey
Gonna set my heart at ease
Gonna make a sentimental journey
To renew old memories
ONLY YOU
Only you can make all this world seem right
Only you can make the darkness bright
Only you and you alone
Can thrill me like you do
And fill my heart with love for only you
Only you can make all this change in me
For it's true, you are my destiny
When you hold my hand
I understand the magic that you do
You're my dream come true
My one and only you
