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The choir‘s new name is a chance to celebrate its diversity, excellence and First. it was the Berlin _ deep connection to a growâ€" Philharmonic Society. _ ing and vibrant southern Then, early in the twentieth _ Ontario community that has century, it became the â€" always made music its priâ€" Kitchenerâ€"Waterloo Phitharâ€" _ ority. monic Choir. And today, the "This change of identity choir celebrates its 85th seaâ€" _ simply reflects our growth son with a new name: _ and evolution as a leading Grand Philharmonic Choir. musical organization. and it CIIOiI‘ cglgbrates history with name change singer. The three girls found inspiration from their mothâ€" er, Marianne, who is also a "Because there are four years between us, I had to wait until my sister was ready then we all started singing together," Danielle said. The Guistini Sisters have been singing together since Joanna "was old enough," says Danielle. The charity the girls have chosen is the Canadian Cancer Society. The girls uncle, Fred Guistini, passed away about a year ago so they decided to honour him with their talâ€" ents and a benefit concert. Danielle says it was so they decided to do another one. This time for charity. Danielle Guistini, 27, says the will be their first benefit performance, but two years ago the two sisters, with their middle sister, Lauren, produced a show at the thenâ€"named Waterloo Stage Theatre, "just to get a feel if it would be a success or not." f at first you do sucâ€" Icced“.do it again and this time for charity. That is exactly what Danielle and Joanna Guistiâ€" ni are doing at the Waterloo Entertainment Centre this Friday and Saturday when they produce and perform in A Song For Hope. . Guistini Sisters‘ performances support Canadian Cancer Society The three also sang in Blinds AreUs â€" ANEXTRA 15% OFF ON i LEvoLOR Ask Inâ€"Store For Details Offer valid on{r from June 1 â€" June 30. 2006 () Fabric & PVC Verticals, Paneltrac®, & Perceptions* soft verticals. (Excludes European Collection} By Ancie Hiu For The Chronicle n 35b Sasaga Drive at Manitou Kitchener 519.893.8687 (between Homer Watson and Wabanaki, past CAA) www.blindsareus.ca U "This change of identity simply reflects our growth and evolution as a leading musical organization, and it underlines our commitment to an everâ€"expanding conâ€" stituenc," said . Howard .__Danielle says not only will they be singing both in duet and in solo, there will Now, just two of them, Danielle and Joanna, will be producing this benefit, in support of cancer research. "We (the three girls and mom} used to go out and sing at weddings and other events and absolutely loved it," says Danielle. the Philharmonic Children‘s Choir. Danielle and Joanna Guistini will perform in A Song For Hope this Friday and Saturday at the Waterloo Entertainment Centre. ( U ARTS FOCUS The adult choir, chamber singers, youth choir and The name of the choir combines Philharmonic, which means love of music, and the Grand River, which gives life to the settlements arqund it as it draws people to its banks. Dyck, artistic director of the internationally renowned choir. Of course when the quesâ€" tion of her favourite song Local businesses have donated raffle prizes as well; the money from the draws will also go to the Canadian Cancer Society. also be special guests to entertain. The show will appeal to everyone, incorporating many genres of music, dance and a live fiveâ€"piece band. VERTICAL WINDOW soLUTIONS The youth choir, comâ€" prised of singers aged 12 to 23, recently took first prize in the CBC Radio Choral Competition for amateur choirs in its category, under children‘s choir, which together comprise more than 300 voices, have much to be proud of. came up, Danielle answered like a pro. "They‘ .are all my favourites," said Danielle. "That‘s why they are all in the show." Tickets for A Song for Hope with the Guistini Sisâ€" ters are on sale now for $25 at the Waterloo Entertainâ€" ment Centre or online at waterlooentertainmentcenâ€" tre.com. Both shows will start at 8 p.m. Continued on page 11 SuBMITTED Proto: d s ’ One of the bestâ€"loved musicals of all time pounces on centre stage at the new St. Jacobs Country Playhouse beginning tonight. Based on T.S. Eliot‘s 1939 collection of children‘s poems, "Old Possum‘s Book of Practical Cats," CATS is a fantasy musical that tells the story of the Jellicle Cats, a group of speâ€" cial felines who gather once a year to compete for a chance to go up to the heavyside layer and be reborn _ into a new life. CATS plays eight shows a week, June 21through Aug. 5. Tickets can be ordered by calling the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse box office at (519) 747â€" 7788 or toll free at 1â€"888â€"449â€"4463. Visit www.stja â€" cobscountryplayhouse.com. & CATS boasts a talented cast of seasoned Canadian performers with an impressive list of credits includâ€" ing the original Canadian productions of CATS, Phantom of the Opera and Beauty and the Beast, as well as shows in the West End and on Broadway. Eighteen performers bring this fantastic feline pheâ€" nomenon to life with technically demanding dancing and intensely powerful vocals. A heartâ€"stopping, highâ€"energy mystical musical that transports the audience into a complete fantasy world, the original production of CATS was one of the longestâ€"running musicals on Broadway, boasting 6,138 performances. It won several Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Featured Actress, Best Score and many more. The musical, which opened to critical acclaim in the 1980s, features some of the most wellâ€"known music in Broadway history by internationally celeâ€" brated composer Andrew Lloyd Weber including Macavity, Mr. Mistoffelees and the everâ€"popular Memory. "We‘re thrilled to bring this highly anticipated musical sensation to St. Jacobs this summer," says Alex Mustakas, artistic director. "Its incredible choreâ€" ography and memorable songs make for a theatre experience not to be missed." Drayton brings beloved musical CATS to St. Jacobs Country Playhouse