"Thank you for packing the house," Lisa Hornung told the crowd filling the sanctuary of Third Avenue United Church March 13 for the Community youth Choir's Spring Tuning concert. "There's nothing better than singing to a capacity crowd," said the director of the choir.
The 55 young voices of the Community Youth Choir rose in celebration of spring and of all they accomplished over this past winter's rehearsal season. With an age ranging allowing the chorus to sing all four parts, they offered musical selections ranging from John Lennon's Imagine to Mozart's Ave Verum.
As always, Hornung thanked her choristers for a wonderful season and concert, saying she is continually amazed at the choir members' dedication to their fellow singers, their joy of music and how much they can accomplish meeting only once a week.
Spring Tuning is the second and final concert of the Community Youth Choir's season. The choir is a non-audition group directed by Hornung, accompanied by Gary Gansauge and supported by community sponsors and volunteers, including the ever-allegiant Jaki Esquirol. This season, local teacher and musician Erin Foreman has also been involved with the choir, and pianist Jaya Hoy also accompanied the choir at Spring Tuning.
For their spring concert, the Community Youth Choir hosted a guest choir from Edmonton, the Cantilon Children's Choir.
The Cantilon Choral Program isa community-based and was founded in 1999 by artistic director Heather Johnson. It involves over 200 singers in five levels of choirs for all ages.Recognized for her ability to inspire, Johnson seeks to create an atmosphere in which every singer may experience the joy of choral music and understand the importance of their own individual role in the creative process. In demand as a choral clinician, adjudicator, lecturer and guest conductor, Johnson also maintains an active voice and piano studio.
The Spring Tuning concert featured each of the choirs singing on their own, with Hornung conducting the Community Youth Choir, Elaine Myrhe conducting the Cantilon Children's Choir, and Johnson conducting a duo performance of the two choirs in an inspirational work that brought the crowd to their feet.
?Johnson and Hornung have had opportunities to work together in the past, including Hornung coaching for the Cantilon program. They've become fast friends as well as colleagues, so were excited about getting the two choirs together. In addition to musical workshops and rehearsals, the weekend featured a variety of activities for the singers, including a pot luck supper, swimming and a treasure hunt.
Johnson said it was a fabulous weekend, making friends and making fantastic music together.
Hornung offered a special thanks to the people who billeted the choristers from Edmonton for the weekend.
The Community Youth Choir wound up its season with their annual ice cream party March 15.
Choir members are Adam Revet, Adam Swanson, Ainslie Milley, Aisley Haas, Alexandra Illingworth, Allysha Dyck, Bailey Campbell, Bethany McQuaid, Brayden Kotyk, Breton Milley, Brittany Nedelec, Camrynn Simon, Catherine Regush, Cole Knutson, Dallas Morris, Daly Haas, David Patterson, Dominique Esquirol, Eddie Keller, Ericka Revet, James Chipak, Janelle Bailey, Jocelyne Paulhus, Joelle Corbeil, Joelle Mercer, Joshua Abrahamson, Kaileigh Hargreaves, Kaitlin Tarasoff, Kate Keller, Kathleen Abrahamson, Kaylene McQuaid, Kendra Policha, Kyla Kayfish, Larissa Chipak, Laura Oingonn, Madison Bugler, Madison Campbell, Mary McLane, Mayce Achtemichuk, Meg Scorgie, Michelle Hanna, Morgan Esquirol, Noah Esquirol, Phaedra Mannix, Raine Kayfish, Shawna Bartko, Shelby Bailey, Spencer Hargreaves, Spencer McKnight, Taighen Carbert, Tawnie Kotyk, Tim Martens, Tristin Tarasoff and Xiaodi Sieben.
