Vocal training, learning music, memorizing lyrics and creating choreography are all part of the preparation involved in becoming a performer. The hard work and anticipation of heading into music provincial competition is the same as it would be for any athletic event, as performers from Outlook found out recently.
The Outlook and District Music Festival is one of 47 district festivals held annually throughout the province. At each local festival an adjudicator can recommend performers to advance to provincial competition, which this year took place in Regina June 1-4. The Outlook and District Music Festival had performers recommended in two disciplines: vocalist Trason Ridgewell in musical theatre; and the LCBI Chamber Choir in choral competition.
Trason is a well-known performer to audiences in the area. He demonstrated a love for performing at a young age, taking part in Equinox Theatre Productions, school performances and participating in music and drama camps. He was one of three Canadians selected for the Missoula Children’s Theatre Performing Arts Camp in Montana the summer after completing grade 8. He is now a graduating senior but his high school days will not end without some highlights the last month of grade 12. That includes being in Godspell at LCBI running June 15-18, as well as the provincial music festival where he placed first in the Canada West Competition for Musical Theatre and will now prepare to represent Saskatchewan at the Canada West festival taking place in Edmonton in July.
Trason advanced to provincials in a total of five classes, but the one he was most looking forward to was the Canada West Class, which he won; a musical and physical challenge requiring him to perform five songs in a row. “I enjoy performing,” Trason said. “Seeing the joy it brings to others when I see smiles on the audiences’ faces makes it such a great experience.”
He has been taking voice lessons for six years with further musical involvement in the LCBI Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, Jazz Band, and Saskatchewan Youth Choir.
His love of performing is reflected in his plans for the future. Following a summer of working as a lifeguard and camp counselor at Kinasao Lutheran Bible Camp, Trason plans to enroll at MacEwan University in Edmonton where he will begin studies for a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in musical theatre.
Audiences have enjoyed seeing him in many musicals over the past few years such as Anne of Green Gables, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Lion King, Spamalot, Newsies, and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; not to mention all his performances at the music festival. He is someone younger students have looked up to and Trason says he has appreciated encouraging them as well. “I enjoy seeing the younger performers show their love for performing.”
In addition to winning the Canada West class, Trason was also recommended to the grand awards competition in Regina where he competed against the best of the pianists, vocalists, strings and woodwind instrumentalists. It was another great experience and something he can draw on as represents the province next month.
The other group of performers advancing to provincials was the LCBI Chamber Choir, an extracurricular program at the private high school under the direction of Graham Codling.
LCBI Chamber Choir
Codling has been the choral director at the school since 2015, bringing with him an extensive background in teaching and performing. His participation in the music program as a student inspired him to pursue it as a career. “One of the reasons I became a music teacher is because of the impact band and choir had on me in high school,” Graham said. “The feeling of being connected to a group of people while doing something that’s totally engaging your body and your brain and creating something beautiful is something that makes music so special.”
The Chamber Choir, a group of 11 students, works on more challenging music and exists for the joy of singing together. This year the Chamber Choir has sung at churches, senior’s homes and even the Saskatchewan and Alberta legislative buildings.
Codling appreciates opportunities provided by the local festival and feels the timing is of great benefit to the choir each year. “Having a goal to prepare for helps galvanize the students to learn their music,” he said. “It also gives the students a sense of the nerves and other factors that come with performing. I appreciate having that opportunity just prior to our choir tour as it helps us prepare, and it’s always good to have the adjudicator’s idea on how to improve.”
The Chamber Choir was recommended for provincial competition, but unlike other disciplines, choirs do not sing live. Instead, they submit a recording for adjudication. “It’s a one shot, one take event while being supervised by a member of the local festival committee,” Codling explained.
Although they did not place in the top rankings, being part of the provincial competition is a good experience for the choir. “It would be wonderful to win our category,” he said, “but I feel like being nominated to compete is an honor that reflects the hard work and dedication the students have put forth this year.”
As Trason prepares to represent the province in the Canada West Music Festival, he does so with the best wishes of the local festival which is very proud of his accomplishments. “We are so excited,” president Sandy Stephenson remarked. “We are just so proud of him and wish him the best of luck in Edmonton. He will represent us and the province very well!”
