Submitted
St. Paul鈥檚 church in North Battleford is looking forward to a return visit from Aven Grace, well known country and gospel singer.
Aven spent her high school years singing in the choir and joining with the ministry work of her parents in the nearby First Nations community. She went on to a singing career in country and gospel music and has received many awards in her field. At the most recent Canadian Convention of the Country Gospel Music Association, (CGMA) she and her partner Barbara received聽 Silver Heart Awards as well as Duo of the Year and A Capella Ensemble of the Year .聽 Her partner Barbara received Signing Interpreter of the Year and Aven was voted Producer of the Year, Full-time Female Vocalist of the Year and Full-time Songwriter of the Year.聽聽
Another highlight of this past year for Aven was her trip to Iqaluit, Nunavut, for the consecration of the new St. Jude鈥檚 Anglican Cathedral. Her family was part of the building team for the original St. Jude鈥檚, which was destroyed by fire 10 years ago. Aven was part of the choir during the consecration of the original cathedral, and it was a very emotional experience to be present for this new celebration!聽 Many people remembered Aven and her family fondly, and memorable stories were told as connections were renewed.
Early in September, Aven returned to the recording studio and completed her 10th full-length CD, Christmas Quilt. It includes some classic songs like O Holy Night and Go Tell It On The Mountain, along with a number of originals... Another Silent Night, We Need The Son and more, including the much-awaited Quilt Of Memories.
Aven will be in North Battleford Dec. 16 for a Saturday afternoon concert at St. Paul鈥檚 Church and looks forward to renewing old ties with many friends of the family.
Aven was a teenager when her family relocated to North Battleford from Nunavut, where she was born and raised. Her parents, Rev. Don and Pat Whitbread, were missionaries to the Arctic鈥檚 Inuit people, and moved here in 1974 with Aven and her siblings, Marin, Heather and Dugald, to work with the First Nations people who live in the Battlefords and surrounding area. During her years in the Battlefords, Aven was known by her middle name, Beth (Elizabeth) Whitbread.
During her high school years, Aven was active in the junior and senior choirs at St. Paul鈥檚, and it was there under the direction of Marj Tatchell she learned vocal technique and breath control, as well as increasing her skill at reading music.
