Volume 1: Issue 3 Spring 2019 Noteworthy

Official Newsletter Publication of the Choral Association, Inc.

Enjoy access to our new online Newsletter!

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Vol. 1 No. 3 Spring 2019

Editor: Karen Giesbrecht

Co-Editor: Millie Hildebrand

Executive Director: Robert Neufeld ​ President: Catherine Robbins ​ Vice President: Stuart Sladden ​ Past President: Millie Hildebrand ​ Treasurer: Adam Kilfoyle ​ Secretary: Naomi Russell ​ Marketing & Communications: Karen ​ Giesbrecht

P.D.: Roberta Matheson ​ Library: Janna Banman ​ Membership: Stephanie Pinette 5-276 Marion Street ​ , MB Choralfest: Brittany Mielnichuk Canada, R2H 0T7 ​ Provincial Honour Choir: Marilyn Ph: (204)942-6037 ​ Fax: (204)947-3105 Redekop Email: [email protected] ​ Fund Development: Vacant Website: www.manitobasings.org ​ ​ Regional Representatives: Michelle Chyzyk, Edward Cloud,

Michael Dueck, Maureen Britton, Kim Jones

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Table of Contents

Editor’s Note 4 President’s Message: MCA Needs Your Help 5 MCA Appreciation: Celebrating our Patrons 7

Regional Reports 9 Central Region 9 12 15 Region 18 21 Norman Region 23 Spotlight on Manitoba Music Educators 24 Young Voices in 24 MCA Online and Social Media (and the Bus!) 26

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Editor’s Note

Welcome to the Spring 2019 issue of Noteworthy! Many of you are deep into end-of-year concerts, tours and the busy-ness of this season. In this issue, we will be exploring the cornucopia of exciting programs and events that are happening in our regions. Specifically, we are spotlighting the amazing music that is happening in the Flin Flon region! A huge shout out to all of the music educators in the province for keeping Manitoba singing and sharing this within our communities and beyond!

The MCA board would like to thank Mary Siemens, our long-serving Central Region Representative, for her many years of service! Mary has chosen to step away from committee work, and is looking forward to travelling and spending more time with family. Thank you for your dedication to the music-making in the province, to CMCA and to MCA!

We would like to officially welcome Brittany Mielnichuk (Choralfest), Edward Cloud (Interlake Rep) and Maureen Britton (Central Rep). They each bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and fresh new ideas. And at the board level, some good discussions have been started with respect to creating music programs and choral communities with diversity and multi-culturalism in mind. More on this in future issues!

And finally, how do we keep this organization not only afloat, but thriving? The word “DONATE” has probably been seen in your email feed and among our various media blitzes. With help from you, our membership, and by spreading the word about what MCA is and what MCA does, may our voices and choirs continue to flourish and be heard!

MCA - Raise Your Voice!

Yours Musically

Karen Giesbrecht

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President’s Message: MCA Needs Your Help

Dear MCA Members,

You, our valued membership, are at the heart of the choral community of Manitoba. You are the very fabric of our organization. Manitoba’s support and leadership in the choral arts is highly valued, and our vibrant choral activity is the envy of arts organizations across Canada.

I write to ask you to support our organization with a donation to our spring fundraising campaign.

MCA is facing extremely difficult times. Rising costs and the restructuring of government grants means that we must count on your support more than ever. MCA has always been committed to ensuring that our programs are cost efficient, but we are struggling to make ends meet as we approach the end of the fiscal year.

When our organization succeeds, it provides an opportunity for community building, for singing through the lifespan, for bringing new professional development opportunities to those who shape choral programs in our province, for connecting singers and conductors, and ensuring that valuable resources and programs, like the MCA library, PHC, and Choralfest are available to our members. We want to keep Manitoba singing!

Gifts to MCA, no matter the size, help us continue and grow our valuable programs and initiatives. I ask you to raise your voice and consider a donation to Manitoba Choral Association. Donations are tax-deductible. You can contribute online by following the link below, through e-Transfer to [email protected] or by cheque payable to Manitoba Choral Association. You will be recognized in our programs at MCA events, in Noteworthy, and on our website.

We expressly acknowledge the incredible support of Ecco Singers, Prairie Voices Inc., Konektis, the Universities of Brandon and Manitoba, and the Winnipeg Beer Choir, all of which helped us raise $4200 toward supporting the National Youth Choir 2020 through

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our Singers Helping Singers Initiative. Our spring fundraising campaign is off to a strong start with leadership from board alumni and support from one hundred percent of our current board members; we are committed to our organization. Thank you to those who have already supported this effort. We celebrate you below.

Please consider donating to a specific program such as National Youth Choir, Choralfest, or Provincial Honour Choir. Let us know how you would like your donation to be directed.

Thank you for considering a gift to MCA, Catherine

Donate to MCA

Your donation allows us to continue and enhance our current programs. Donations are made through Canada Helps, and your tax receipt will be sent to you via email immediately after your donation is made. Thank you very much for supporting the Manitoba Choral Association.

Cheques made payable to: "Manitoba Choral Association"

https://www.manitobasings.org/donate

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MCA Appreciation: Celebrating our Patrons

The Manitoba Choral Association receives funding from the Province of Manitoba, the , the Winnipeg Arts Council, the Foundation for Choral Music in Manitoba, and several sponsoring commercial firms. MCA deeply appreciates the sponsors and patrons who have supported us through the years. Many thanks to our donors who made a gift between Sept 1, 2017 and June 18, 2019.

MASTERWORKS $6000+ Judy Pringle (Endowment Fund)

ORATORIO $1000-$5999 Bill & Margaret Fast Family Foundation Ervin & Lorraine Petkau James MacNair Milton Penner Musaico/Ecco Singers (Singers Helping Singers) Philipp R. Ens

CANTATA $500-$999 Konektis (Singers Helping Singers) University of Manitoba Choirs (Singers Helping Singers) Winnipeg Beer Choir (Singers Helping Singers)

MADRIGAL $250-$499 Adam & Joanne Kilfoyle Catherine Robbins (In honour of Charlotte Robbins) Ed & Millie Hildebrand Henry Peters (In memory of Linie Friesen) Naomi Russell

CANON $100-$249 Brandon University Chorale (Singers Helping Singers) Catherine Robbins (Singers Helping Singers) Derek Morphy Youth Choir (Geung Kroeker-Lee Music)

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Fitness Physiotherapy Services of Manitoba Janna Banman Marie Craig Margo Sim Marilyn Redekop Michael Dueck Michelle Chyzyk Prairie Soundscape Robbins Family (Singers Helping Singers) Scott Armstrong Stephanie Pinette Sue McIntosh (In honour of Liz Grant) Vic Hooper SOLO to $99 Alan and Mavis Whicker Arlene Baschak Brittany Mielnichuk Elsie Heide Greg MacLean (In memory of Roberta MacLean) Jacob L. Benet Jan Burdon Judy Urbonas Karen Giesbrecht Kendra Obach Noreen Gafic Noteable Women (In Memoriam) Pat Reid Robert Neufeld Roberta Matheson Stuart Sladden Westgate Mennonite Collegiate (Geung Kroeker-Lee Music) WestMan Youth Choir (Geung Kroeker-Lee Music)

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Regional Reports

Central Region ​ submitted by Loretta Thorleifson

CMCA was excited to see a large contingent of singers from the Central Region at Provincial Honours Choir in February; our singers of all ages joined voices with the Junior, Senior, and Adult choirs at this gala occasion.

Also in February, CMCA presented the annual Vocal Jazz workshop, hosted this year at the Manitou Opera House. Over 80 singers from around the region came together for a day of sharing, celebrating, and collaborating, under the direction of guest clinicians Stacey Nattrass Brown and Alisa Wiebe, and sound technician Richard Klassen. Students performed for each other in their school groups, received helpful onstage adjudication, and rotated through breakout workshops on the topics of “Song Circles”, “Vocal Jazz Improvisation”, and “Sound Systems and Microphone Technique”. It was a great day of learning, connecting, and building choral community among our Junior and Senior High singers.

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The committee is working diligently to prepare for our fall choral workshops. This year, the Senior School Choral Workshop will be held at Mennonite Collegiate in Gretna on Thursday, October 17. The committee welcomes Roberta Matheson to work with the Grade 9/10 choir, as well as last year’s CMYC director, Dorothy Dyck, as Grade 11/12 choir clinician. The Junior School Choral Workshop will be held in Holland on Monday, October 21, with guest clinicians Marla Fontaine (Grade 5), Andrea Wicha (Grade 6), and Valdine Anderson (Grades 7/8).

These two workshops will bookend the CMYC 2019 tour, which will be under the direction of Philip LaPatha this year, along with veteran accompanist Loren Hiebert. Applications have come in from all over the region, and after auditions are held in early May, a 50-voice choir will be selected. Two intensive rehearsal weekends in September and October will be followed by a four-day tour of the region.

Many community choirs have prepared and presented winter and spring concerts in the past few months, including the Morden/Winkler-based Prairie Singers under the direction of Marilyn Houser-Hamm, the Choral Society under the direction of Madeline Friesen, Carman’s Sonatrice Singers directed by Brenda Doell and Animato directed by Margaret Gluck. Also presenting concerts have been The Winkler Community Men’s Choir, directed by Ray Giesbrecht, Winkler-based Homeschool Harmony, directed by Rochelle and Kayla Drudge, Winkler Senior Choir, directed by Wes Hamm, and Manitou-area Borderline Singers, which reunited under the direction of Loretta Thorleifson for spring festival performances.

The Central Region was also happy to welcome two middle school choirs of the Pembina Trails Voices Group - Ragazzi (directed by Alisa Wiebe) and Chorale (directed by Monika Lukomski) on their spring tour in early May. The choirs delighted audiences in Winkler, Morden and Manitou over a three-day period.

The Winkler area is also home to a new choral initiative, Prairie Soundscape, directed by Karen Giesbrecht and Melanie Urichuk. A seasonal Middle Years choir has been running for the past three years, and for the 2nd year, a young adult choir for singers ages 18 – 30 joins the roster. This non-auditioned, free-of-charge choir provides additional singing opportunities for students who are already in school or other choirs, or perhaps do not have another choir to sing in.

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Prairie Soundscape and the PS Middle Years Choir held their first ever combined concert at the PW Enns Concert Hall in Winkler on June 12. ( photo below)

CMCA would like to recognize and thank Mary Siemens for her many years of service to our region and to MCA. Mary joined us in 1995, and has recently chosen to step back from committee responsibilities. Enjoy your family, your travels, and the new-found extra time, Mary, and thank you so much for your time, dedication, and attention to detail over the years!

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Eastman Region

submitted by Michael Dueck

Whew! We here in the EastMan region are catching our breath after a delightfully full spring season of projects! Here’s a recap and a look forward!

COOL STUFF THAT HAPPENED: - EMCA’s Presentation Series continued with an Easter-themed interpretation of Handel’s Messiah on April 6 at Grace Mennonite Church in Steinbach. Singers from the EastMan region joined with students and staff from Providence University College together with a community orchestra all under the baton of David Sawatzky. A full house gathered to hear the glorious sounds of the famous work as the orchestra played, the choir sang, and as several familiar arias were sung by soloists David Klassen, Justin Odwak, Laurelle Czaplinski. and Jessica Kos-Whicher. A fine community effort for a fine community!

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- The Steinbach Vespers Choir concluded another delightful and worshipful regular season of services on April 7 at the Mennonite Heritage Village Museum auditorium. Eric Marshall directed while Kim Sidorchuk accompanied at the piano. - Tradition resumed from hiatus in the form of the annual Easter Sunrise Service which resumed its normal post Easter Sunday morning (April 21), 7:00 am at Grace Mennonite Church in Steinbach. Nathaniel De Avila conducted this project as hosted by the EastMan Choral Society, who performed alongside Kim Sidorchuk on the piano, Lin Wiebe on the organ, and the lovely Winnipeg Brass Quintet. The building rang with voices raised in sacred praise! A true highlight for all involved onstage and in the audience! - The EastMan Male Choir had a busy end-of-season with several concerts this spring. Two were in collaboration with the Winkler Community Male Choir in support of the work of Eden Health Care Services through the Eden Foundation. They were held on April 28 at Winkler Mennonite Church and on May 5 at Steinbach Mennonite Church. - That wasn’t the end for the EastMan Male Choir (as conducted by Nathaniel De Avila) for they joined together with Exaudi Chamber Choir (formerly known as the EastMan Chamber Choir under the direction of David Sawatzky) for a final EMCA Presents concert on June 5 as they hosted Didgori, a phenomenal men’s choral ensemble from the Republic of Georgia who specialize in traditional Georgian folk-singing and chant. Former Steinbach resident and Georgian ethnomusicologist Matthew Knight helped facilitate this visit to Manitoba, which is a first for the ensemble (and over 30 years since they last toured Canada). The gorgeous acoustics of the Mennonite Heritage Village Museum auditorium were used to full effect with the incredible power and resonance that came from these six singers! - Local women’s choral ensemble Accent wrapped up their season with their Spring Series Concert this last Sunday on June 9. Directed by Meredith Hutchinson and accompanied by Annalee Schellenberg including a host of other instruments by choristers (and a few of their husbands), this was a lovely event with an eclectic program performed in the new outdoor Summer Pavilion on the Mennonite Heritage Village Museum grounds to great summery effect!

COOL STUFF THAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN (before we do it all over again in the fall!!): - Auditions took place June 4 for the next edition of the EastMan Youth Choir! Things are shaping up for another fine ensemble under the direction of Cynthia Peyson Wahl and accompanied by the pleasantly-ubiquitous presence of Kim Sidorchuk! - The EastMan Choral Association looks forward to the EMCA Annual General Meeting to take place June 22, 2 pm at the Jake Epp Public Library to reflect on the most active

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and successful year the EMCA has seen in many years while dreaming and scheming for another brilliant season ahead! - One peek into the new season is another choir name change! Look for the EastMan Choral Society to be rebranded as the EastMan Community Choir in seasons to come! We hope to continue engaging more of the community and helping them to understand that there is a choir in our region for them to sing in including this one!

IMPORTANT DATES: - June 22: EastMan Choral Association AGM – 2 pm @ Jake Epp Public Library

While we celebrate this banner 30th anniversary year of the EastMan Choral Association, it bears reminding that this wouldn’t have happened without the enthusiasm, vision, patience, and dedication from our Association’s executive who deserve to be recognized repeatedly: President – Meredith Hutchnison Vice President – David Sawatzky Past President – Shannon Sawatzky Secretary – Kim Sidorchuk Treasurer – Kathy Bergen

Their success is our success and I salute their efforts to keep our region singing!

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Westman Region

Submitted by Michelle Chyzyk

What has already happened………….

Brandon’s adult choir Konektis (director Michelle Chyzyk) were thrilled to take part in the Rocky Mountain Festival in Banff from April 10th -14th. It was an absolutely perfect blend of music making and enjoying each other’s company – both on stage and in the hot tub. They were inspired to workshop with ’s Carrie Tennant and be in the audience for incredible performances by choirs from across the country. Manitoba choral groups participating in the festival were Maples, Vincent Massey Winnipeg, Fort Richmond, and Glenlawn. Hooray for fine choral music in our province – Manitoba proud!

Oak Lake’s Noteable Women (director Karyn Morrow Penner) travelled to Dauphin to share a concert with the Parkland Women’s Chorus (director Lori Suss) on Saturday, May 11th.

Over the May Long weekend, Brandon’s Sandy Jasper and Naomi Russell were intensely involved in with an exciting recording project for the Juno nominated Canadian Chamber Choir. Other Manitobans working on the project were Winnipeg’s Katy Harmer, Scott Reimer, Karla Ferguson, and Jereme Wall. We are eager to hear their work!

Killarney Collegiate Choir (director Lisa Campbell) performed alongside the KCI Jazz Band on May 22nd, 26 students strong.

The members of CP Sings! Choirs (director Deanna Ginn) have had a busy month. Many students were involved in their successful musical Freaky Friday held at the Keystone Centre. They had a choir tour in Winnipeg enjoying the chance to spend time with Philip Lapatha at Maples Collegiate and Dr Catherine Robbins at the University of Manitoba. They also did a brief church tour on June 2nd, performing in 3 services that day. CP Sings! Chamber Choirs and Maroon Jive (Vocal Jazz) day tour on June 4 took them to 3 elementary schools and at the BU acoustic pool. The final concert for all 5 CP Sings! Ensembles, entitled “Unclouded Day”, took place at Knox United on Tuesday June 4th.

Many Neelin performing arts students were involved in a creative musical collaboration in April based on “The Crucible”. On May 21st, Neelin’s Simple Green ensemble hosted

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“Gone Country” in the Neelin Theatre. Neelin Choirs (director Carolyn Gwyer) participated in an exciting tour of Prince Edward Island learning lots about this region and entertaining in many different venues. To tie up their year, there was a year-end choral concert called “Don’t Stop Me Now” held at Richmond Park Church.

On June 8th the WMYC Committee met to select this year’s 2019 choir. Conductors will be Dorothy Dyck and Ian Campbell. This is always the choral highlight of Westman. The choir will tour Westman October 19th - 22nd. The tradition lives on, and 2020 will see the choir celebrate its 40th year.

Neepawa Area Collegiate Institute Choir (director Blair Chapman) held their final concert on Monday, June 10th. The NACI students were also involved in a very successful May production of “Once on This Island”.

On Tuesday, June 11th the Virden Collegiate Choir (director Michelle Chyzyk) took to the AUD stage to present their year-end choral concert. It has been a wonderful year of choral music and this year they say goodbye to only 5 choristers, so the future is looking bright as the young singers continue to develop and numbers involved in the performing arts at VCI continue to grow.

Coming up…….

On Sunday, June 23 at 3 pm, Prairie Blend Men’s Choir (director Deanna Ginn) will host a concert, “Music for a Summer’s Day”. This will be held at Knox United Church. Admission is $10 at the door. Program features Canadian and Estonian works.

The Brandon Conservatory Chorale Ensembles will be led by Marla Fontaine in the fall. They are hosting open house rehearsals for singers to check out what the program has to offer. Kara Dixon will be working with Bel Canto adult choir.

This fall Konektis of Brandon will be holding their 4th annual Choral Konektions Concert in which they make their fall debut and collaborate with other fine Westman Choirs. It is an event they really look forward to. This year the concert is set for Thursday, November 7th at the newly renovated Central United Church. Guest choirs are yet to be announced.

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Top:l-r Neelin Choir Tour in PEI Middle:l-r Konektis in Banff, Canadian Chamber Choir-Wesman, Crocus Choir at Maples Bottom:l-r Crocus singers workshopping with Catherine Robbins, Prairie Blend

Important Upcoming Dates for 2019

September 10 and September 17 – Open House Rehearsals for Brandon Conservatory Choirs

October 5th – Women in Harmony Concert

October 6th – Das Femmes Concert

October 19th – October 22nd – Western Manitoba Youth Choir on Tour

October 22nd – Final Concert for WMYC at Central United Church 7:30 pm

November 7th - “Choral Konektions” Concert - Konektis with special guest choirs TBA

December 15th – Christmas at the AUD – 3:00 pm, Virden Auditorium Theatre

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Interlake Region Introducing our new Interlake Regional Rep - Edward Cloud: My name is Edward Cloud. I was born in California, where I started choral singing at a very young age. I received a math degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara, and also started studying Middle Eastern traditional music, the turath. After several rewarding years performing in Turkish, Arabic, Hebrew, Armenian, Assyrian, and other languages, I moved away. I found my way from corporate IT to math teaching, and finally to music teaching. I sang in masterwork chorales in California and in choirs before landing in Winnipeg. As an adult, I took up the euphonium, and have played in community concert bands, and have had term jobs teaching school bands. I spent five years singing with the Rainbow Harmony Project, two years with Canticum Novum, and one concert cycle with the Philharmonic Chamber Choir. I teach in Stonewall, MB, and am a founding member of the Interlake Youth Choir committee, very proud to be representing the Interlake Choral Association at the MCA table. As a tenor and a bass, I look forward to more rewarding years singing in the many and varied ways that Winnipeg and Manitoba have to offer.

Happenings in the :

The Interlake Choral Association holds an annual Advent Concert each year, ​ involving a number of its regional choirs.

Interlake Adult Choir Day was another success, with 35 singers in attendance. They ​ learned three songs in an afternoon with Leanne Cooper Carrier and performed in the evening as part of a fundraising concert for the Interlake Youth Choir. This event will likely happen again in April 2020!

Interlake Youth Choir is gearing up for our fourth season, to be directed by Leanne ​ Cooper Carrier. Students will get together for a rehearsal day in September, followed by a rehearsal camp and a tour in October. We currently have 40 auditionees, and will be selecting IYC 2019 soon! Their Finale Concert will be on Monday, October 21st at Stonewall New Life Church. IYC’s previous conductors are Scott Reimer (2016), Justin Odwak (2017), Alisa Wiebe (2018)

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Community Choir Groups:

Selkirk Community Choir is thriving, having recently completed their 41st year! ​ Presently conducting is Kendra Obach, with Beth Emmers on the piano. They are 45 voices strong with lots of community involvement, as well as their own concert series. You can email this choir at [email protected].

Tabula Rasa - This young adult choir is an auditioned group of singers aged 18-26. Conductor Kendra Obach is the choir and drama specialist at Stonewall Collegiate, and has a long history of wonderful work with area and provincial choirs. This past November, she was featured as an adjudicator for Senior Years and Community Choirs at Manitoba Choralfest. This group sang a ​ ​ concert titled Rise Up in January 31, and ​ ​ completed its 6th season with an outstanding Wine and Cheese Concert at Selkirk United Church. Their accompanist is Lisa Highmoor.

Pictured to the right: Tabula Rasa after the June 15 Wine & Cheese Concert.

Octavia Women’s Choir, led by Karen Jackson, was formed eight years ago, bringing ​ together women from Selkirk and surrounding communities who love to sing! Starting in September, they meet three Saturday mornings a month for practices. On June 2, they held a command performance of A Jukebox Musical in Selkirk. ​ ​

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The Back Pew Boys have been a feature male choir in the Selkirk area for many years. From September through May, men from various church congregations and area communities share their joy of singing on Thursday evenings at Selkirk United Church. Back Pew Boys’ annual performances include the Interlake Choral Association’s Advent Concert and singing at Woodland Court, a Seniors Residence in Selkirk. Other special events included charity fundraisers, church anniversaries, retirement events, and a spring concert on May 16th.

The Quarry Choristers Since 1985, the Quarry Choristers have met Sunday evenings to sing, laugh and socialize. Over the years the choristers have developed a wide and varied repertoire – folk, Broadway, contemporary, country, and pop. Originally performing throughout Manitoba at various festivals, choral fests, conventions and Christmas concerts, in 1997 the group took a new direction – Dinner Theatre! They haven’t looked back and were their usual hit at this year’s spring production. Titled Small Town Blues, QC took their ​ ​ audiences on a trip through time following the trials and tribulations of the small town of Quarry Ridge.

IN OTHER NEWS

The Gimli High School Choir is completing its second year with conductors Stephanie ​ ​ Marks and Heather Clarke.

The Evergreen Festival of the Arts Vocal/Choral was held on April 30 and May 1, ​ ​ 2019. This year’s adjudicator was Millie Hildebrand of Winnipeg.

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Parkland Region

The Dauphin Regional Comprehensive Secondary Senior Choir, under the direction of Andrew Coombs, has travelled to to perform in the Moose Jaw Band and Choral Festival. This choir is completing its third year, and pleased that their numbers have soared!

The Keystone Chorus is led by director John Graham, assisted by Richard Hamilton. ​ This men's barbershop group presently has 15 members. Besides their annual spring concert, they enjoy "sing outs". Last year they sang at 12 local senior's homes.

The Parkland Women’s Choir is a choir that grew out of conversations in the car, circa 2014, coming home after Cantata practice! In their words, “We would bemoan the lack of choral singing for women, especially for women who were in the workforce. With the arrival of the Suss family. we found our director! Next was our accompanist...and the Parkland Women’s Choir was off and running. 23 women came to that first practice, and we’ve only grown from then. The Choir prides itself on the high standard of performance that has been reached in a fairly short period of time. The Choir also prides itself on the fun we have, and the joy we get in sharing music with the community.”

Besides entertaining at senior’s centres and personal care homes, they provide Christmas party entertainment and carolling, hosting "A Taste Of Christmas" and evenings of music supporting their local food bank. They are often billed together with the Keystone Chorus and a trio called Stringed Harmony (violin, cello, piano).

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On May 11, 2019 the Parkland Women’s Choir (Lori Suss, conductor) joined forces with Oak Lake’s Noteable Women (Karyn Morrow Penner, conductor) in a concert held in Dauphin.

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Norman Region

THE PAS

Open the link to Community Choir to view great pictures and promos for their ​ concerts. The choir is co-directed by Andrew Legeny and Kristy Dyck.

THOMPSON

This year, R.D. Parker Collegiate Choir welcomed new director and RD Parker grad, Catharine Fisher. Her program consists of Grade 7/8 choir for all students in the division, Junior Choir (Grade 9), Senior Choir (Grades 10-12), and Vocal Jazz (an auditioned ensemble for students in 10-12).

FLIN FLON

Hapnot Collegiate Choir is under the direction of Kim Jones. ​

Borealis Choir is led by Anna Harrison, Angela Ishaka and Tim Spencer. ​ Flin Flon Community Choir polished off a perfectly fabulous Mamma Mia in May, ​ ​ ​ performed at the R.H.Channing auditorium under the direction of Ann Hodges from Winnipeg and the production of Crystal Kolt.

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Spotlight on Manitoba Music Educators

Young Voices in Flin Flon

Submitted by Lara Smith

Through the school year, approximately 80 students ranging from grades 3-5 gather in the McIsaac music room every Thursday for a choir practice. With their director/music teacher Lara Smith and Emily Sparling, the choir is accompanied by Band teacher Anna Harrison. The choir performs at the Remembrance Day assembly and Parent Council Christmas family party. Every other year the choir will perform a musical, however this year that was left for the Glee club.

The Glee club is a group of 20 students from Grades 6-8. The Glee students add dancing and choreography to their songs. In the past the Glee club arranges a song with lead vocals and everyone else sings back up. Then they perform these songs at assemblies.

This year, however, they decided to do a musical as well - a first for the Glee crew. Under direction of Mrs. Smith and Madame Sparling, the 20 Glee members performed Jukebox Time Machine, a production of songs from the decades. The group practiced ​ every Tuesday at lunch and then added speaking part practices on Wednesdays. Songs like Music! Music! Music! and Splish Splash were some oldies, while Journey’s ​ ​ Don't Stop Believin’ and Madonna’s Vogue were some newer songs. Flin Flon’s ​ ​ Community Choir did the hit show Mamma Mia this May, so when the Glee crew sang ​ Dancing Queen, it was a huge success! ​ During the dress rehearsal the entire school watched in awe as these young actors/musicians amazed them with their singing and acting talents.

Music is strong and vibrant here in Flin Flon! There are many young people who leave to attend University and include music in their degrees. Many of those students were in choir and Glee!

The reviews have been wonderful and as Lara Smith notes - “everyone loved it!”

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MCA Online and Social Media (and the Bus!)

Yes, we were on Winnipeg Transit this past fall, and will again be showcased next September. Keep your eyes peeled to Winnipeg Transit!

Facebook and Instagram and manitobasings.org

Our Social Media presence has grown exponentially this year. Views and likes on each of our platforms have increased our presence in people’s daily Newsfeed. Be sure to take a look! Member Area

Choirs and individuals registering for a membership with the MCA this upcoming year will have access to the MCA membership directory via the Member Login page. Once ​ registered you will be sent a confirmation email with the password to access this part of our website under the “Membership” tab. MCA Library

Last, but not least, the library system will be updated on the MCA website this upcoming year. Due to rising maintenance costs the “Search” option available on the MCA website will be removed. Members will still be able to use the “Browse” option or contact the MCA office for any inquiries they might have.

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Volume 1: Issue 3 Spring 2019 Submissions for Future Articles

We are looking for input from our membership!

Do you have any new ideas? Any fellow music teachers/professionals/students you would like to showcase? Items you would like to share with a larger audience? Interviews with “Noteworthy” Manitoba talents? New and upcoming Manitoba songwriters? Any cool and cutting edge research projects from our amazing music professionals and/or music students?

We are looking for input from you, our cherished members of MCA.

Articles should be no longer than 400 words. Deadlines are outlined below:

Noteworthy Fall Edition - Sept. 30

Noteworthy Winter Edition - Jan. 30

Noteworthy Spring/Summer Edition - May 30

Please submit ideas, pitches for future articles, or complete articles by emailing: [email protected]

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