“Are We There Yet?” performed by Sam McCoshen, Mitchell Gorman, Jake Wilsey, Carter Johnson and Alec Girouard.
Mark Sears in “How To Torture Your Sister.”
“Be Kind to Your Parents” as performed by the Junior Boys.Our final concert was light hearted, funny, and a real audience pleaser.
The GP Boys Choir did very well at the music festival. Prep, Senior, and Men of Note recieved Gold Superior and the Junior Choir recieved Gold standing. The Prep, Senior and MON were recommended to go to Provincials. Since the Provincial music festival was on the same weekend as our final concert, we could not attend.
As part of our Songs and Sweets Festival, the GP Boys’ Choir offered up an afternoon of free music. It was held in the lovely Centre 2000. We had guests, Roland Majeau perform a variety of original folk music. We received $5600.00 from the Arts and Heritage Foundation Grant. Our member of parliament, Chris Warkentin is seen here presenting us with a cheque.
Drawing from life’s experiences, Roland is able to convey and deliver deep emotions and convictions about situations in life common to us all. With word and note his music presents a message that encourages either laughter or tears. In his long and varied career, Roland Majeau has developed his writing skills which focus on real life issues. Often likened to James Taylor, Roland’s unique blend of country / folk / pop is a combination that’s pleasing to the ear. However categorized, this is music that tells a story.
Back in June when everyone’s thoughts are turning to summer vacation, I am trolling through music files and surfing the internet for inspiration for our next Christmas show. My criterion is simple. It has to move me. When I stumbled across Stan Roger’s, First Christmas, I knew I had found the inspiration for the show. Stan Rogers is the ultimate Canadian story teller and our Pro Coro friend Trent Worthington wrote a beautiful arrangement for our Men of Note. From this inspiration grew other stories about Christmas away. Our journey took us from Mary’s first Christmas to modern day travel. In addition, the boys sang with their fathers. This has become an annual tradition, and their presence, standing with their sons, speaks volumes about who they are as fathers and members of the community. They gave their time and voices, to make the evening special. It is my hope that the members of the Grande Prairie Boys’ Choir will sing when they are grown up in their churches, in their community and to their children. Singing is such a universal language and a special gift.
The Senior Choir and Men of Note were invited to sing at the Alberta School Board Trustee Conference held in Edmonton on November 16. In addition, the boys were invited to sing at an Edmonton Metropolitan Choir concert, conducted by our good friend and colleague, David Garber. It was such a treat for the boys to sing at McDougal United Church, with the fantastic acoustics. The audience was extremely receptive to the boys and gave them a standing ovation!
The day turned out to be pretty special in one other way also. Cornelius Martin, a student of Mrs. Pernal’s from many, many years ago, happened to be in the audience, and recognized her from his time at St. John’s Ravenscourt School. If there are any choral conductors out there who ever wonder if they make a difference on a young persons life, you just need to have an enthusiastic student from your past talk to you. Cornelius had Mrs. Pernal in tears as he recalled numerous songs from his time in choir at the school. And, he was only 11 at the time! It was a tense moment as one of the boys from the GP Boys’ Choir quickly asked him if he was still singing as a grown up! To Jeannie’s delight, he replied that he sang in a band with his church on a regular basis.
After a wonderful concert at McDougall United Church, the boys walked over to the Westin Hotel where they rested and prepared for their performance for the Alberta School Board Trustees. Over 400 school board trustees were in attendance from around the province. Trent Worthington came out and helped us out with the sound system and now we are determined to train one of our guys to learn all about sound systems. Thanks to Trent for helping us out once again.
Of course, no trip would be complete without the bus trip, hockey game, sleeping in a hotel, and eating plenty of pizza! Here are a few of the ‘extra’ pictures!
The Senior Choir and the Men of Note participated at the Remembrance Day Ceremony held at the Canada Games Arena on November 11, 2008. It was a solemn ceremony, attended by many. The choirs led those in attendance in the singing of O Canada, God Save the Queen and sand three of their own selections. Sylvia Chabot and Tom Gorman put together a power point presentation which was shown while the choir performed Soldier Song. This very moving tribute brought many people to tears.
‘We Shall Remember Them’
The Men of Note Concert on Sunday, October 5, 2008 was magnificant! It was completely sold out and we unfortunately had to turn people away at the door. This was one of the best concerts the Grande Prairie Boys’ Choir put on to date!
The Male Voice Jamboree Concert was preceded by a community supper, attended by staff from the Research Farm and distinguished guests. Member of parliament Chris Warkentin was in attendance. The concert was a sold out affair with many people at the concert from the town of Beaverlodge. Trent Worthington, Associate Conductor of Pro Coro Canada commented that it was one of his most memorable and favourite concerts.
Jeannie, the conductor of the GP Boys’ Choir was thrilled with the entire weekend. ”It surpassed all expectations” she said. Although she is often crazy, she has been known to sit quietly before a concert and collect her thoughts. The last photo is Elaine Leer standing with Jeannie at the end of the GP concert. Jeannie says that : ”Elaine has been a gift to the choir and everyone loves her. She is marvelous to work with.”