SJASD Children's Concert Choir
Throughout the years, the choir's mandate of providing an enriched choral experience and fostering a love of choral music has never changed.
The St. James-Assiniboia Children's Choir is a choral group comprised of approximately 70 Grade 5 and 6 students, representing 15 elementary schools in the division. The choir, which has been in existence since the late 1980's was originally formed to give young students an opportunity to further develop their choral skills and provide enriched performance opportunities. The year begins with an intense 2-day rehearsal camp at Camp Assiniboia, where the group focuses on repertoire and team-building. Weekly practices take place from September to May in preparation for various performances throughout the school year. These performances include Choralfest, the Divisional Candlelight service, and various celebration events throughout the school division. The choir has been a consistent gold winner through their participation in the annual Winnipeg Music Festival. In 2019, the choir was awarded the Lord Tweedsmuir Memorial Trophy. The choir was recommend to the Provincial Arts & Music Festival where they were selected as an alternate to represent Manitoba at the Nationals in Class 107- Margaret Wharton, Community Choir, 12 years and under.
The choir has also performed along with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, by invitation at the Winnipeg Music Festival Choral Excellence and at ChoralFest Gala Concerts. Another highlight is the annual School Tour Day, held in April. Choristers perform for their peers at various schools touring throughout the division and have the opportunity to promote the choir.
SJASD Junior Concert Choir
The St. James-Assiniboia Divisional Junior Concert Choir is one of three divisional choirs in St. James-Assiniboia School Division. The choir is directed by Justin Odwak and is comprised of 65 singers in Grades 6, 7 and 8. The choral season begins in September with a 2 day intensive choir camp. Choristers attend weekly rehearsals, perform at various events and festivals throughout the school year, and end the season with a final concert in May.
The SJASD Junior Concert Choir has developed a reputation of being one of Manitoba's premier youth choirs. They have performed with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, CBC Radio, the Government of Manitoba, the Winnipeg Singers and with the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir. At the Winnipeg Music Festival 2019, the SJASD Junior Concert Choir achieved Gold Standings, an invitation to perform at the festival’s Gala Concert and a recommendation to proceed to the Provincial Music & Arts Festival. The festival’s adjudicator, Elroy Friesen, recommended the choir to represent Manitoba in National Choral Class 105. The SJASD Junior Concert Choir was one of the youngest choirs to perform at MusicFest Canada in Ottawa in May of 2019. The choir received Gold Standings from adjudicators for all three of their choral performances. Singers in this group have enjoyed rehearsing and performing a wide variety of beautiful music. In addition to their passion for choral singing, this group of highly motivated and self- disciplined singers also have fun together. Membership in this choir gives singers the opportunity to develop their potential for musical excellence, and to meet and work with other talented musicians in the school division.
SJASD Senior Concert Choir
The SJASD Senior Concert Choir is one of St. James-Assiniboia School Division's three divisional choirs. Its members consist of singers in Grades 9-12. This choir has developed a reputation of being one of Manitoba's premier youth choirs. Membership in this choir gives singers the opportunity to develop their potential for musical excellence and to meet and work with other talented musicians in the school division. Singers in this group have enjoyed rehearsing and performing a wide variety of beautiful music. In addition to having fun, they also work very hard on challenging repertoire that represents a variety of genres.
The SJASD Senior Concert Choir is recognized across the country and has performed with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, CBC Radio, the Government of Manitoba, Winnipeg Singers, Prairie Voices and at many other national and international festival and events. At Choralfest 2017, the choir was recommended to MusicFest Canada.
At the Winnipeg Music Festival 2019, the choir was presented the following honours: Walter Klymkiw Trophy and Walter Klymkiw Memorial Bursary for the most outstanding performance of a Folk or Multilingual Song by a Community Choir, and the Saults and Pollard Limited Shield for the most outstanding performance by a youth Community Choir.
The Senior Concert Choir was also remommended to proceed to the Provincial and National Music Festivals to compete in Class 0102 Geroge S. Mathieson.
The Choir maintains approximately 55 members. The choral season runs from September to May.
To download the outline of our By-Laws for all SJASD choirs, please click here.
