Saskatoon Children's
Choir (SCC):
Goals
To nurture our
singers’ appreciation for fine music, and encourage them to
approach their studies with intelligence, creativity and
musicianship
To foster an
understanding of, and appreciation for, music from Canada
- To study and perform music from other parts of
the world, extending through choral music our singers’
understanding of their role in a global community
- To inspire audience members and others affiliated
with the choir to support artistic and humanitarian endeavours
- To communicate a message of promise in a world
where children suffer from war, poverty and conflict
- To demonstrate, with courage and conviction,
that all young people have an obligation to take concrete steps
toward creating a world of tolerance and hope.
Phoebe Voight
Founding
Artistic Director of the Saskatoon Children’s Choir (1996-present)
Is an accomplished choral
clinician, instructor, and conductor of children’s choirs
Received her initial training
from the University of Regina Luther College and the University of
Saskatchewan, pursuing further studies at the University of Alberta,
the University of Manitoba and the Royal College of Church Music in
Croydon, England
Included in Herstory 2010, a
Calendar featuring inspiring Canadian women, and Ned Powers’ 2011
book “Here’s to My Heros.”
She is the recipient of the YWCA
Women of Distinction in Arts Award, the Saskatchewan Music Educators
Award for Outstanding Achievement, the Saskatchewan Choral
Federation Pro Musica Award, and the Rotary Golden Wheel Award
- 2011: Was chosen as the Children’s Champion
2011 of the Child and Youth Friendly Saskatoon
The
Preparatory choir
- performs at SCC's two home concerts
- Have appeared in concert with the Barenaked
Ladies
- Have been invited to perform at Meewasin
“Plant-A-Tree” ceremony with the Lieutenant Governor in
attendance.
- In October 2012, were invited to perform O
Canada at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Saskatoon City
Council.
Apprentice Choir
-
Four-time recipient of the Isabelle
Mills Award for outstanding children’s choir
Represented Saskatchewan at the
Kiwanis National Music Festival
Performances: Moose Jaw, North
Battleford and Prince Albert, for the Meewasin Valley Peace
Assembly, The Lieutenant Governor’s
Centennial Gala, with the Saskatoon Chamber Singers and with The
Nylons.
2009: Recorded the theme song for
the national “Yellow Fish Road” project.
2013: performed in the Saskatoon
Opera’s production of Bizet’s opera Carmen.
Can be heard on the
SCC's CD “On Prairie Wings” and the latest choir CD “Cantus
Populi”.
Concert Choir
The principal
performing/recording/touring group of the SCC
Has emphasis on classic choral
literature, world folk music and Canadian compositions
Have appeared on choral stages in
Europe, Asia, the United States, South Africa and across Canada.
Have performed as guest artists
with the Canadian Chamber Choir, Prairie Virtuosi and the Saskatoon
Opera Society
Perform regularly with the
Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra
Appeared at the 2007
Juno Awards
Notable Tours and
Humanitarian Projects
2000-2002: Support for Canadian
initiated International Campaign to Ban Land Mines (performances,
education platforms, and signatures)
2005: Western Canada performance
tour of the children’s opera "Brundibar" – opera
premiered by the children of the Tezerin Concentration Camp in 1942
- SCC performance included speeches, study guides for school
audience, readings
2006: The "Eternity Stone
Project" - Bojesen's "Eternity" – Collected stones
from around the world and performed in concert with stones in hand
2007: "Still We Rise!" -
to honour the strength and courage of people living with, and
affected by, HIV/AIDS - Commissioned "Yo Te Nombro Libertad"
Arr. Peter Tiefenbach
- 2011: Concert Choir visits South Africa -
benefit concerts focusing on children affected by HIV/AIDS -
Documented by CBC
Awards Summary
Twice awarded Kathaumixw’s Elmer
Iseler Award (2000 and 2004) for best performance of a Canadian
work.
First Place (Folk) from the
International Choral Kathaumixw (2000)
First Place (Children’s Choir)
at the Festival Internacional de Musica de Cantonigros (Spain, 2002)
Second Place (Children’s Choir)
and Second Place (Folk) from Kathaumixw 2004
National Leslie Bell Award for
Choir (2003)
Both Apprentice and Concert Choirs
have been awarded the Isabelle Mills Award for outstanding choral
achievement.
The choir considers their
invitation to participate in Songbridge 2005 in Hong Kong their
highest privilege
Recordings Summary Recommended Recordings
CD: "Cantus Populi" (2010) “Bridge
Over Troubled Water” - CBC music site
CD:
"On Prairie Wings" (2005) “Yo Te Nombro
Libertad” - Cantus Populi CD
CD: "Fields
Interrupted" (2002) “Flying Colors” -
youtube.com
DVD: "Flying Colors"
(2008) “African Sanctus” - on CBC music site