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End of an era

Sonshine Singers’ last performances begin this evening; group began in 1999

This evening about 120 singers and 12 accompanists will take their places in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in downtown Fort Dodge.

Soon after that, the voices of the Sonshine Singers will fill that room with majestic and inspirational music. They will bring all of their impressive talents to bear in what will surely be a bittersweet performance.

That’s because tonight’s event will be the first performance of what will be the Fort Dodge group’s final ministry, at least in its current form. Although Armona Redenius, the group’s director, and its members are not ruling out future reunions or special events, this week marks the last regularly scheduled ministry of the Sonshine Singers.

The ministry’s performances will begin at 7 p.m. today, 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday. All of the performances will be at First United Methodist Church, 127 N. 10th St.

We believe no one should miss this final ministry of a group that has been a fixture in the community since 1999.

The Sonshine Singers’ annual ministries have packed area church sanctuaries from the beginning. The group has also performed at the state capitol, the Iowa State Fair, the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend and C.Y. Stephens Auditorium in Ames.

The group has released 22 CDs.

Performances of sacred music by the Fort Dodge Civic Glee Club led to the establishment of the Sonshine Singers. Redenius directed the glee club from 1996 to 1998, and the club was getting a lot of compliments about its sacred music. Some even suggested that the club switch to singing sacred music only.

Redenius didn’t think the glee club should change its format. But she was inspired to step down from the glee club post to start the Sonshine Singers in 1999.

The group’s first performance in March 2000 drew about 700 people to First Presbyterian Church in Fort Dodge.

Now, the group is winding down.

Redenius told The Messenger that ”20 years seemed like a wonderful cutoff point.”

”It just seemed like God was leading me in this way,” she added.

To all the members of the Sonshine Singers, we say thank you for 20 wonderful, inspiring years.

And we’d like to add that we’re hoping for an encore performance sometime in the future.

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