Dressed in their best, Jeanette Steeves (centre) surrounded in support by members of the A Cappella Chamber Choir October 24 before the Saugeen Shores Committee of a Whole meeting, where Steeves was honoured with the Municipal Heritage Conservation Award.

Hub Staff

A life lived through music was celebrated during the Saugeen Shores Committee of the Whole meeting which began in song October 24 as the A Capella Chamber choir, conducted by the night’s Municipal Heritage Conservation Award winner Jeanette Steeves, who founded the choir, serenaded all in council chambers.

The annual Municipal Heritage Conservation Award was presented to Steeves because of her longstanding promotion of rich cultural heritage in the form of music in the Saugeen Shores community. Steeves’ work with music has helped to preserve the culture of traditional music in Saugeen Shores for decades.

“I truly am honoured,” said Steeves before she accepted her award. “I have been privileged to have lived in this community and to have met such supportive and wonderful musicians and to have been supported by the public.”

After 43 years of voluntarily conducting music in Saugeen Shores, Steeves will conduct one last performance with the A Cappella Chamber Choir at the Port Elgin United Church November 5 and cordially invited everyone to attend.

She also thanked all the singers who have sacrificed so much time and energy to not only leave behind but to continue a cultural tradition in the community. Steeves was instrumental in forming the Children's Festival Chorus, Centennial Singers (now Chantry Singers), the Allegro Youth Chorus and the aforementioned A Cappella Chamber Choir.

Steeves’ astonishing list of accolades was read aloud proving, without a doubt, that she deserved the Municipal Heritage Conservation Award for her 43 years of music service in Saugeen Shores. The award now joins a long list which includes the Ontario Choral Federation Award for Distinguished Service which Steeves won in 1996. She has twice received Paul Harris fellowships, has been nominated by the Rotary Clubs of both Southampton and Port Elgin for outstanding service to the community. Steeves was an original inductee to the Port Elgin Hall of Fame, was nominated as a community builder. She also received the first Lake Huron Award for Musical Excellence for founding the Children’s Festival Chorus, the A Cappella Chamber Choir and the Port Elgin Centennial Singers.

Municipal Heritage Committee Chair Joyce Johnston (left) and Mayor Mike Smith (centre) presented Jeanette Steeves (right) with the Municipal Heritage Conservation Award during the Saugeen Shores Committee of a Whole meeting in Council Chambers October 24.

Steeves received a standing ovation following the A Capella Chamber Choir’s performance of “Sing Me to Heaven” in Council Chambers, October 24.

Video: Conducted by Municipal Heritage Conservation Award recipient Jeanette Steeves, the A Cappella Chamber Choir performed “Sing Me to Heaven” in Saugeen Shores Council Chambers October 24.