WestMan Choral Association Report to the MCA Board of Directors– October 28, 2006
Here is just a snippet of choral activities happening in the Westman area of late. Unfortunately, I’m afraid this report focuses too much on the Brandon goings-on…..am I suffering a little perimeteritis here? I am actively attempting to reestablish the Westman Choral Association which has been rather inactive over the past few years. I hope in future to be able to report things that are happening in the whole region!
Brandon University School of Music held a reunion August 18th to 20th to celebrate its 100th year of operation. Great fun was had reminiscing with former classmates and professors. A Saturday afternoon concert featured an alumni choir conducted by Dr. Earl Davey who had returned to Brandon for the event. Bets were on prior to the weekend as to what the repertoire would be and we weren’t disappointed! Healey Willan made the list! Another highlight of the weekend was a concert featuring former students of Sylvia Richardson in a tribute to the “R’s” as they have officially retired from teaching at the school.
“das Femmes”, a 9-member unconducted women’s ensemble based in Brandon, recently sang at a “Champagne and Diamonds” breakfast, one of the events held as part of the National Communities in Bloom conference. We were disappointed when we found out that we didn’t actually get to wear the diamonds nor sip on champagne. dF is planning a Christmas concert for November 26th with Prairie Blend, an all-male ensemble led by Deanna Gin.
The Brandon Chamber Players (yes I realize this is not a CHORAL ensemble) held their first concert of the season on October 3. They featured baritone Hugh Russell in two works, “Rivolgete a lui lo sguardo” from Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte and “Dover Beach” by Samuel Barber. The house was packed with many of the attendees coming in from Rivers, Hugh’s home town. Some say that Shirley Russell should actually be doing some marketing for the Chamber Players…she knows how to put “bums in seats”.
The Westman Youth Choir held its 27th edition of the choir in October. One of the conductors, Brett Scott, originally from Virden, was a chorister in this choir in 1986 and 1987. Scott now teaches at the University of Rochester and the Eastman School of Music. Together with well-known Winnipeg conductor Marilyn Redekop, he led the 53 singers hailing from 21 Westman communities through a 4-day, 9-concert tour to the towns of Wawanesa, Souris, Deloraine, Melita, Reston, Virden, Elkhorn, and Brandon.
The Canadian Chamber Choir held a rehearsal period and tour here in Manitoba from October 13th to the 20th. Conductor Julia Davids, originally from London, ON and now living just outside of Chicago, led the 17 singers from across the nation on a tour to the communities of Winkler, Gretna, Brandon, Steinbach, and Winnipeg. This was the third time that the choir had toured here in Manitoba and it was great to make connections with the MCI singers in Gretna, the BU Chorale singers in Brandon, the S.R.S.S. group in Steinbach, and Prairie Voices and the Westgate Mennonite Collegiate Choir in Winnipeg. Several singers in the CCC have connections to Manitoba. Marvin Marcial, Meredith Daley, Matt Pauls, Naomi Russell, Sandy Jasper and Karla Ferguson thank all of their friends and family for their support of the choir and thanks to Heather Henderson for doing some great advertising for our concerts on the MCA website!
Brandon’s ladies barbershop chorus “Women in Harmony” will be holding their annual Show on November 4 with guest artists the Brandon University Conservatory Chorale led by Elizabeth Grant. Our theme is “An Oz Reunion” and your Westman rep Naomi Russell, who directs the chorus, will be decked out in a frilly, shimmering dress waving her wand as the good witch Glynda.
There are 2 very active theatre companies based in Brandon, Mecca Productions and Seven Ages Productions. Both draw on the talents of singers and actors from all over the Westman region. Mecca will be staging “The Music Man” in November.
The 6th annual “Singers Helping Singers” concert is scheduled for TOMORROW, October 29th in Brandon and will feature performances by Prairie Blend, BU Chorale, Tri-High School Choir (Wawanesa, Crocus Plains and Vincent Massey of Brandon), das Femmes, Sweet Debut, Virden’s Children’s Choir, Valleyview Elementary School Choir, First Presbyterian Church Senior choir, and the Conservatory Chorale. As has happened for the past several years the proceeds will go towards supporting the Manitoba representatives to the 2008 National Youth Choir and the Manitoba Choral Association. Thanks to Elizabeth Grant and Dr. Andree Dagenais for organizing this great event!
For the soon-to-be-resurrected Westman Choral Association,
Naomi Russell, pro tem Westman rep
5-276 Marion Street
Winnipeg, MB R2H 0T7
Canada
PH: 204-942-6037
FAX: 204-947-3105
WESTERN MANITOBA YOUTH CHOIR 2007
Now in its 28th year, the Western Manitoba Youth Choir was formed in 1980 to provide a high quality experience in choral singing for high school students who demonstrate musical ability. The singers have the opportunity to upgrade their talent in an intensive choral setting with experienced conductors.
In order to qualify, the singer should be entering Grade 10-12 in the 2007-08 year.
The Western Manitoba Youth Choir will consist of approximately 54 singers from the Westman region, selected by video auditions.
The choir will meet at two rehearsal camps, each one lasting three days. The rehearsal camps will be held at Riding Mountain Conference Centre from Sept. 13-16 and Sept. 27-30, 2007.
Successful applicants will be required to pay a tuition of $325.00. This helps to cover the expenses of the rehearsal camps and tour, and provide a choir sweatshirt, CD and choir picture.
This year the choir will tour parts of the Westman region from Oct 13-16
The 2007 Western Manitoba Youth Choir will be under the direction of Rob Monson and Paula McLeod of Winnipeg. We are looking forward another successful year of choral work with these new conductors.
For further information please write or contact:
Bill Lawson
(204) 483-2693 (H) (204) 483-2815 (F)
Download the Brochure by clicking on either the Word or PDF file icon below:
