Ron Gorham - Assistant Music Director
Our Assistant Choir Director
Ronald Gorham: was a teacher for 35 years. After graduating from Hamilton Teachers’ College in 1962, he taught vocal and instrumental music as well as other subjects for the Niagara South Board of Education in the elementary and secondary schools of Fort Erie and Welland. Responsibilities included teaching music, conducting choirs, directing and accompanying several operettas at the Grade 7/8 level. As Music Director at Fort Erie Secondary, he built an award winning Music program, competing nationally and internationally with Concert and Jazz bands, performing at Silver and Gold levels, including first place with his Jazz band in New Orleans. Education includes BA and MEd degrees from Brock University as well as several vocal and instrumental music courses from the Ministry of Education in Toronto and Grade Eight Piano and Grade Two theory from the Royal Conservatory of Music. Active in the Music world of the Niagara region since the age of 16, he has performed with many orchestras in the region on both piano and trumpet and has been a member of church choirs and barbershop choruses and quartets. Married for almost 47 years to his wife Sharon, they reside in Fort Erie, have 3 children, 2 boys and 1 girl, and enjoy life with them and their 6 grandchildren. At present he is enjoying retirement and he and his wife are members of the Harbour Lite Singers in Port Colborne as well as the Robert Wood Singers in Welland.
Darlene Oord - Accompanist
Darlene has been the accompanist for the Singers since 1977. She has completed grade 9 piano, grade 6 pipe organ and grade 3 music theory from the Royal Conservatory of Toronto. Darlene also has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brock University
Ruth Maher - Assistant Accompanist
Ruth is a Registered Nurse and has been with the Robert Wood Singers for many years. An accomplished pianist, she fills in for Darlene as required. Ruth is also the accompanist for the Wood Kids.