Enderby’s Anglican Church Women have invited celebrated vocalist George “Geordie” Roberts back to his hometown to perform as their guest singer in a special concert taking place today.
Entitled A Suitcase Full of Memories, the concert of show tunes and popular music is in memory of Roberts’ aunt Betty Halksworth, from whom he inherited a suitcase of sheet music.
Born in Enderby, Roberts graduated from the then newly-opened A.L. Fortune Secondary School in 1978. He went on to graduate from the University of British Columbia’s school of music.
He now makes his home in North Vancouver with his wife, Frances, and sons, Aidan and Garreth and Liam, and presented his first fund-raising concert in Enderby in 1998, in support of the museum society.
Roberts has performed on numerous recordings and CBC Radio broadcasts as both a soloist and a member with the Vancouver Chamber Choir and the a cappella quartet Fourtissimo, which specializes in vocal jazz and renaissance repertoire.
His solo career has included engagements with Early Music Vancouver, Trinity Western University, the Vancouver Symphony, Masterpiece Music, Festival Vancouver and many community organizations in the Lower Mainland.
He has also been the vocal instructor at Langley’s West Coast Family Music Festival for the past 19 years.
In May, 2000, he was honoured to be the conductor of the Provincial Youth Choir in Victoria and in May, 2003, he was the conductor at the provincial seniors’ Chorfest in North Vancouver.
He has twice conducted massed choirs for the United churches of the Lower Mainland anniversary worship services, and is a faculty member at the Capilano University music department in North Vancouver, and the music co-ordinator at Highlands United Church in North Vancouver.
In addition to his busy singing, teaching and conducting schedule, Roberts is also a gifted accompanist and coach. A published composer and arranger, his choral music is available on the Cypress label.
Today’s concert will be held at St. Andrew’s United Church in Enderby, 1106 Belvedere St., at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 and are available at the door, with funds going to help complete the stained glass memorial window project at St. George’s Anglican Church. There will be a coffee social after the concert.
