GUELPH – The Guelph Youth Singers (GYS) have collaborated with teachers from the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) and the Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) to gather a youth choir from across the region.
The GYS Kiwanis Choir includes 150 students from six local schools who will perform together at the Guelph Kiwanis Festival on April 23.
“It will be an unforgettable musical experience,” said CYS chamber choir conductor Emily Petrenko.
“One child’s voice is beautiful, but standing on the stage together and singing in a large, unified group will create a powerful sensation.”
Bringing this unique choir to life took a lot of commitment.
In 2020, the Kiwanis Music Festival received a generous bequest from Oscar and Clara Bookbinder’s estate, with funds earmarked for community outreach.
Guelph Youth Singers staff immediately started working on a vision for a large, unified choir introducing children to choral music.
“Camaraderie, artistic expression and learning the magic of music are all part of the journey for these young people,” said GYS artistic director Marion Samuel-Stevens, who is also adjunct professor of voice at the School of Fine Art and Music at University of Guelph.
Local schools
The GYS Kiwanis Choir includes choristers from the local schools.
The following are included, and whose sponsoring teachers jumped at the chance to expand musical education for their students:
– Holy Rosary Catholic School, Rebecca Wittich;
– King George Public School, Emily Petrenko;
– Paisley Road Public School, Jennifer Gareau;
– Rickson Ridge Public School, Aaron Duncan and Angeline Lau;
– St. Ignatius of Loyola, Jan Chapman; and
– St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School Guelph, Piroska Szucs and Jaime Lynn Gooyers.
“It’s the first time we’ve entered a youth choir representing public schools, Catholic schools and a youth music organization,” said Petrenko, who is an examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music as well as a King George teacher.
The choristers are in Grades 1 through 7, with most in Grades 4, 5 and 6.
“Some of these kids started school in the COVID years when singing wasn’t allowed,” Petrenko said.
“So this could be their introduction to music.”
