HUGH VAN PELT is a local business owner and professional musician. In 2003, he began Choral Connection with his wife, Lucy, who is a well known St. Thomas music teacher and musician herself. The choir consisted of about thirty Elgin County people from all walks of life who were united by their love of music and their desire to perform. The first performance was a joint concert with the St. Thomas Youth Choir.At the urging of the choir, Hugh undertook to direct them in Handel's "Messiah" and Choral Connection presented their first "Messiah" in 2005 at Centre Street Baptist Church...

​