The Battlefords Community Youth Choir wrapped up its season Sunday with the annual Spring Tuning concert. Also performing were the Meota Men鈥檚 Choir and special guests from Edmonton, the Cantilon Children鈥檚 Choir.
Heath Gabruch welcomed the audience to Third Avenue United Church, explaining the Community Youth Choir is a volunteer-based program for a non-auditioning group of school age children and youth.
Directed by Lisa Hornung, they meet once a week. The first hour is devoted to the entire group, with a further session of 45 minutes for singers who want to work on more challenging music.
鈥淟isa does a wonderful job of developing these young talents 鈥� and they all adore her,鈥� said Gabruch.
The CYC also has a mentoring program for young people who want to learn choral direction. Mayce Achtemichuk is participating in this aspect of the choir program.
The Battlefords choir opened the show, followed by the Cantilon Children鈥檚 Choir.
The Cantilon Choral Program is a community-based choral program founded in 1999 by artistic director Heather Johnson. It involves more than 200 singers in five levels of choirs for all ages. Directing the children鈥檚 choir in North Battleford was Victoria Biel, with Shannon Hiebert accompanying.
Like the Community Youth Choir in the Battlefords, Cantilon welcomes singers of all ages, regardless of experience, ability or financial constraints and provides a high-quality musical opportunity for choristers while fostering co-operation, respect, confidence and a high level of musical understanding at all levels.
Gabruch told the audience the Cantilon Children鈥檚 Choir was on a mini-tour that week, having performed at Sherwood Park, Alta., and a seniors鈥� home in Lloydminster, arriving Friday in North Battleford. The choir had a workshop with Hornung and a rehearsal with CYC Saturday before heading to the Battlefords Co-operative Aquatic Centre for a group swimming party.
Sunday morning, Cantilon sang at the service held at Third Avenue United Church.
Also performing at Spring Tuning was the Meota Men鈥檚 Choir, directed by Hornung. Founded several years ago by Charles Baillargeon, the group has grown from a few members to more than 20. They are accompanied by Jo Carter.
Meota Men鈥檚 Choir member Stephen Carter also accompanied a CYC piece on clarinet, Elianna Pile accompanied a piece on the flute and Luke Keller drummed for the massed choir on the final number.
鈥淚t takes a tremendous amount of people and individuals to put on a performance like this,鈥� said Gabruch. "The organization in general is just amazing.鈥�
He said to remember they are all volunteers, and asked the audience to note the individuals and businesses listed on the program.
鈥淭ake a moment to recognize these people because they are the reason, partially, why we are here this afternoon,鈥� said Gabruch.
He also noted Hornung will be heading up another Summer School for the Solo Voice in July, with instructors coming from all over the world, this year even from 麻豆传媒AV Africa.
