Central

Central Region Hosts Vocal Jazz Day

by Loretta Thorleifson

On Thursday, February 22, the Trinity United Church in Portage was transformed into a swinging, singing hot spot, as the Central Manitoba Choral Association held their annual Vocal Jazz Workshop.

Students and teachers from Portage la Prairie, Gladstone, Glenboro, Gretna, Winkler, and Manitou attended the day, which was capably hosted by local committee members James Reynolds and Craig Bennet, along with their students and choir parents.

Guest clinicians for the day were Dorothy Dyck and Loretta Thorleifson, and guest accompanist was Lois Hildebrand. Performing groups from the participating schools each had 40 minutes on stage, performing for the other students, and receiving an onstage workshop from Dorothy. Meanwhile, students who did not belong to vocal jazz groups spent the day with Loretta, learning the basics of jazz style and technique, listening to some of the performing groups, and learning two songs which they performed (by memory!) for the entire group in the afternoon. The day was also interspersed with mini-lectures by sound technician Jim Nickel - "Introduction to The Sound System", Loretta - "Beginner Improvisation", and Dorothy - "Jazz Listening Techniques".

After a hearty spaghetti supper, the group was treated to a high spirited evening concert featuring local jazz ensemble "Jazzizzle" from Portage Collegiate, directed by James Reynolds, and the feature guests, "Maple Sugar", from Maples Collegiate, directed by Dorothy Dyck.

Many congratulations and thank you's were voiced during the concert, including greetings from MCA executive director Robert Neufeld. The rousing standing ovation at the end of the evening reflected the enthusiasm of the students and teachers who had participated in this great day of learning and celebrating choral music together.