July 2 to 10 2023 the choir embarked on our performance peace tour to the International Choral Kathaumixw in Powell River, British Columbia.
The International Choral Kathaumixw is a festival like no other. The word Kathaumixw means “many nations coming together” in the Coast Salish language and it is five days filled with concerts, common song singing, choral and vocal solo competitions, conductors’ and accompanists’ seminars and social events. Participants have the opportunity learn from each other and from world renowned choral personalities.
During these five days, we participated in five concerts and three juries, as well as in daily common song rehearsals. Our choristers also had the opportunity to make new friends with the other participating choirs and perform and have fun together.
The Saskatoon Children’s Choir earned a second place in the Contemporary category, and two first places in the Children’s Choir and Folk Traditions categories. And at the final Gala concert the choir received the Kathaumixw 2023 Choir of the World Award!
It was a remarkable and unforgettable experience. Congratulations choristers!
“Love is rebellious bird that nobody can tame, and it’s all in vain to call it if it chooses to refuse.” ~Georges Bizet
After a three years’ hiatus, the Saskatoon Opera returned to the stage with Bizet’s Carmen and our Apprentice choir was invited to collaborate with the opera company and perform as street children.
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 a professional orchestra. Our choristers rose up to the occasion and impressed Saskatoon audiences with their professional approach to the performance.
In 2016, the Saskatoon Children’s Choir embarked on our “Welcome Home” initiative to sponsor and welcome a refugee family to Saskatoon. “Our” Eritrean family arrived September, 2017 from a refugee camp in Ethiopia and we supported them for one year.
Toronto Treble Festival, Indian River Festival in Prince Edward Island, Halifax and Truro Nova Scotia
In July 2019, the SCC embarked on its two-week long performance tour to Toronto and Eastern Canada. First, the choir participated in the Toronto Treble Festival under the leadership of two prominent conductors, Zimfira Poloz and Henry Leck. Afterwards, the choir travelled to Prince Edward Island, to the invitational Indian River Festival, where they performed two concerts. In one, they were joined by the Indian River Festival Chorus, in the other by Tracy Cantin – a world-class soprano. They also travelled to Nova Scotia where they performed in Halifax and Truro with Aella, a women’s choir from Ottawa.
The following comments sum up the choir’s experiences this summer:
Hearts were touched, and everyone was overwhelmed by the voices, leadership and professionalism of everyone involved. A memorable, moving experience. (Robert Kortgaard, Artistic Director of the Indian River Festival)
A real treat to hear these talented, dedicated singers! Superb world-class music! (An anonymous audience member)
The choir was amazing! Their performance of the Magnificat was one of the most sublime musical experiences I’ve ever had. (An anonymous audience member)
“To Mimi we give our friendship – our love – a share in everything we have!” Rodolphe
In June 2018, the SCC Apprentice Choir was once again invited to collaborate with the Saskatoon Opera. This year, they participated in the Saskatoon Opera Society’s performances of Puccini’s La Bohème. 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.
