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An exciting children’s choral composition and singing workshop for children ages 6-18 will now be part of Choir Camp 2023 on Tuesday, July 11 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location: St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 865 2nd Ave. W., Owen Sound (the same location as Choir Camp 2022).
Sherryl Sewepagaham, Cree/Dene artist and music educator, Julia Davids, director of the Canadian Chamber Choir, Canadian Chamber Choir members, and Fiona Evison, Georgian Bay Children’s Choir and Western University, will lead us!
Singers will:
- Learn an exciting traditional Indigenous stick song
- Compose a short choral piece based on two local rivers
- Design and perform using found percussion accompaniment from pebbles and driftwood
A light snack will be provided.
Cost: $10 (bursaries are available). Register in advance using our online form. Space is limited to 50 children.
About Sherryl Sewepagaham:
Sherryl Sewepagaham is of Cree-Dene ancestry from the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta. She holds a Bachelor of Music Therapy (Capilano University) and a Bachelor of Education (University of Alberta). Having taught elementary music for 14 years, Sherryl is an experienced elementary Music Educator focusing on Indigenous Music Education and First Nations songs for the classroom. Now as a Music Therapist, she works with Indigenous patients in the areas of Geriatric and Palliative Care at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, but still continues to provide education workshops in schools on Fridays.
Sherryl is also a 22-year member of the 2005 Juno-nominated, Edmonton-based trio Asani and composes drum songs in the Cree language. Asani received a 2010 Canadian Folk Music Award, a 2010 Indian Summer Music Award, a 2005 Canadian Aboriginal Music Award, and many other music awards nominations. Asani toured extensively around the world performing at Carnegie Hall in New York, The Kennedy Centre in Washington D.C., and the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver BC.
Sherryl is also a composer of traditional and contemporary First Nations drum songs. Her 2014 debut solo album, Splashing the Water Loudly, received a 2015 Indigenous Music Award nomination and is featured in APTN’s Chaos and Courage series. Sherryl wrote the music and lyrics for the National Arts Centre’s Music Alive Program (MAP) song, “Music Alive”, which has been shared with elementary schools across Canada. Sherryl also created and co-created three teacher resources for the MAP program and continues to develop cultural programs for music teachers.
About Dr. Julia Davids:
Julia Davids is a founding member of the Canadian Chamber Choir and has led the ensemble on concert and workshop tours of every province. She is passionate about mentoring the next generation of choral conductors. Julia is co-author with Stephen LaTour of Vocal Technique: A Guide for Conductors, Teachers, and Singers, winner of Choral Canada’s 2014 award for best choral publication.
Julia is the music director of the North Shore Choral Society and serves as director of music ministries at Trinity United Methodist Church in Wilmette, Illinois. Julia earned Master of Music degrees in conducting and voice performance at Michigan University, and a Doctor of Music in choral conducting at Northwestern University.
About the Canadian Chamber Choir:
The Canadian Chamber Choir is a national ensemble of professional level choral artists who travel from across the country to promote Canadian music and build community through singing.
Under the leadership of Julia Davids, the choir convenes in a different region of Canada at least twice a year, offering concerts and mentoring choral practitioners of all ages and stages.
The Canadian Chamber Choir will be performing in Owen Sound as part of Choir Camp 2023 on Wednesday, July 12, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Tickets are $30 (or $20 for students and Choir Camp 2023 participants) and are available online.
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source: media release, Choir Camp 2023
