FERGUS – The fourth season of the Mid-Day Music at Melville returns to Melville United Church on Oct. 1, from noon to 1pm.
The series is presented by Fergus pianist and singer Brad Halls, and will continue each Wednesday, running until the last Wednesday in April 2026.
Last season, Halls took his audience on a musical journey through 100 years of Hollywood and international film musicals, commencing with the beginning of the era of sound movies 1927 and continuing until the present day.
For this fourth season, Halls has adopted the theme of “Songwriter’s Inspirations”, and each concert will feature songs that have a similar theme that may have inspired some of the greatest songwriters of the past 100 or more years.
The first two programs on Oct. 1 and Oct. 8 are entitled “Around the World”, and will include popular songs celebrating many locales, both exotic foreign cities and locations right here in Canada, including Moonlight in Vermont, Under Paris Skies, London by Night, Autumn in New York and Song for the Mira.
Halls was born and raised in Fergus and returned to live in his home town 13 years ago after living and practising law in Cobourg, Ontario for 35 years.
Throughout his career, he has lived a sort of “double life” as a lawyer by day and pianist, singer and songwriter by night.
He was the producer of and principal performer in his music series Words and Music at Cobourg’s historic Victoria Hall for over 28 seasons.
In collaboration with his lyric writing partner Paul Caldwell, he recorded three albums of original music for children and appeared for two seasons in their own television series for young people The Corner Store.
Since returning to live in Fergus, Halls has continued to remain active in the musical community.
He has sung in the Guelph Chamber Choir and served as president of the choir for five years.
He has performed regularly as part of the concert series presented annually at the Wellington County Museum and Archives.
He currently serves as a member of the board of directors of both The Elora Festival and The Elora Singers.
There is no admission charge for the performances, although there will be an opportunity to make a voluntary contribution on a “pay what you will” basis, with all proceeds going to Melville United Church to compensate for the use of the church’s sanctuary with its acoustics and its grand piano.
For more information contact Halls at brad.halls@wightman.ca or 519-400-1022.
