Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

“An opera begins long before the curtain goes up and ends long after it has come down. It starts in my imagination, it becomes my life, and it stays part of my life long after I’ve left the opera house.” Maria Callas

In June 2013, the SCC Apprentice Choir participated in the Saskatoon Opera Society’s performances of Bizet’s Carmen. It was a great opportunity for our young choristers to work with a professional theatre director, a guest conductor, as well as an adult chorus and professional orchestra. Our choristers rose up to the occasion and impressed Saskatoon audiences with their professional approach to the performance.

Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

“Music is the universal language of humanity.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

In March, 2012, the Apprentice Choir was invited to participate in the “United In Song!” Choral Festival in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Together with three choirs from Prince Albert, the Apprentice choir choristers spent two days in workshops, social events and performances. The Mass choir, under the direction of Phoebe Voigts, served as demonstration choir for the Prince Albert Teachers Convention. This was a wonderful opportunity for our Apprentice choristers to grow as musicians, to make connections with other choirs and to forge deeper friendships with their fellow choristers in the SCC.

 “And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” Nelson Mandela

In July, 2011, the Saskatoon Children’s Choir set out on a performance tour of a lifetime.  They travelled to South Africa on a performance tour in support of children and families affected by HIV/AIDS.  Accompanying them was a team from CBC Radio and Radio Canada (television).  Several of their performances were benefit concerts, with the proceeds going to St. Peter’s Care and Siyabonga Helping Hands.  The choir collaborated with other South African choirs for some very memorable performances. A highlight of the tour was a shared performance with the internationally recognized Drakensberg Boys Choir.  Our choristers returned home enriched, having received so much more than they gave.  The resulting CBC documentary was the recipient of the CBC President’s Award.  (Shauna Powers, producer;  Chris Haynes, sound engineer, Benoît Ferradini, producer, and Denis Grenier, camera).

“We Care” Project

Working with four church choirs in Saskatoon, the SCC raised money to purchase school kits through the Canadian Lutheran World Relief “We Care” program.  The choir brought 80 kits with them to South Africa, and shipped 300 others to centres in need.

Saskatoon, Canada

The Saskatoon Children’s Choir commissioned and premiered the opera “Strangers in the House” (about curling!) to welcome to Saskatoon delegates to the National Conference of Canadian Choral Communities.  The composer is Peter Tiefenbach. The wit and whimsical comedy in the opera proved to be a big hit with the audience.  The concert was recorded and broadcast by CBC Radio.

Vienna, Austria and Prague, Czech Republic

The Summa Cum Laude Festival in Vienna provides a unique platform for the world’s most talented youth choirs and orchestras.  The festival is held in the Vienna’s magnificent and historic Musikverein.  The international jury, and the workshops associated with the festival, offer opportunities to participating ensembles for significant artistic growth.  The Saskatoon Children’s Choir’s experience at Summa Cum Laude, and their performances in the Czech Republic, will remain a significant memory in their touring history.