2018 -19 Brentwood School Senior Choir
The École Brentwood Elementary School Senior Choir is comprised of 80 Grade 4 - 6 students who love choral music and are committed to making music together. For 39 years École Brentwood Elementary School has had a reputation throughout Strathmore and area for its extensive, inclusive and high quality Choral and Fine Arts programming, Musical Theatre productions and school wide concerts. The Music Program has received many accolades and special invitations over the years. One of the highlights remains Brentwood’s participation in the Mass Choir at the Opening Ceremonies of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary. In January 2017 the Senior Choir was delighted to have the opportunity to perform with the Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra at Hope Covenant Church in Strathmore and in February the Choir was featured at the Alberta Children’s Choir South Gala Concert at Knox United Church in Calgary. The École Brentwood Elementary School Senior Choir was thrilled to place Second at the Alberta Music Festival Association’s Provincial Choral Finals in May of 2015 and 2016 and to receive a Superior rating in 2018. The choir is conducted by Music Specialist, Carolyn Steeves and accompanied by Bekah Peterson, a parent volunteer. The 2018 -19 Brentwood School Senior Choir will meet during the lunch recess every Wednesday.
Senior Choir hosts Augustana Choir
What an amazing experience! The Senior Choir was so fortunate to sing with the Augustana Chamber Choir on May 1st not once, not twice but three times! The two choirs had a joint workshop, performed together in a school concert and then once again in an evening concert. It was a very special day for the Senior Choir and Brentwood School! A day we won't soon forget!
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Augustana Choir concert includes local singer
From edition: May 10 2019 Strathmore Times
By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter
The University of Alberta Augustana Choir held a performance at the Hope Covenant Church on May 1 with special guests Ècole Brentwood Elementary School Senior Choir (pictured), Strathmore Children’s Choir Finale, Strathmore High School Choir and Holy Cross Collegiate Choir.
The University of Alberta Augustana Choir made a stop in Strathmore on May 1 during a three-day tour, to complete workshops with the local children’s choirs before conducting a concert later that evening at the Hope Covenant Church.
The university choir worked with the Ècole Brentwood Elementary School Senior Choir and completed a school concert during which the Brentwood Choir joined them for two songs, before conducting a second workshop with the Strathmore Children’s Choir Finale, Strathmore High School Choir and Holy Cross Collegiate Choirs, prior to their evening show that included performances with all choirs mentioned.
It was not the first time singing in Strathmore for one Augustana Choir bass singer, as he had previously lived in Strathmore, attended Brentwood School and performed with the Brentwood choir in his youth.
Lane Anderson, who participated in choir throughout his elementary schooling at Brentwood between 2002 and 2008, never carried on with choir and singing until he joined the liberal arts education that Augustana offers, in pursuit of his business degree.
“There’s definitely a huge help to have the background of being in a choir, whatever age, to then pick it up again,” said Anderson, adding that for his business degree he must complete one arts program and that choir, although a lot of work, fit the bill due to his previous experiences of singing in choir at Brentwood.
While he attended Brentwood, he remembers his cousin from Manitoba singing at Brentwood with his choir, and feeling inspired. Ever since then he always thought that given the opportunity, it would be neat to sing in his old school and to inspire younger students to start singing.
“When I found out we were coming to Strathmore it was like a small mini dream of mine, coming back to my elementary school and being able to sing,” said Anderson, who loves to sing low bass in their choir, along with a cappella and songs that stray from typical musical styles and instead include “crunchy” harmonies that aren’t the normal pretty tones.
Some songs performed included Sing Joyfully! and Since Singing Is So Good a Think by William Byrd and Songs Are Thoughts by Lavinia Kell Parker.
Not only did Anderson get to live out a mini dream, but most of the young singers from the choirs in Strathmore were also excited about the opportunity to put on a concert together with the Augustana Choir and took in as much as they could to learn from the older choristers.
“It’s really cool how their voices mix in with ours and they do the (vocal) discount with their voice, I want to learn how to do those,” said Brentwood choir student Julia Munoz adding that she felt inspired to learn how to sing using new techniques and that she wants to further her singing.
For Anderson, some of the best lessons of singing with the younger students were the true value of music and the ability to inspire others and to pass music along and share it with other people and generations.
“I think it’s good to be able to hear little voices and it’s fun just to pass (music) on because I enjoy music and there’s value to be able to have other people continue with music,” said Anderson. “It’s a super important thing to do. If you just keep your music to yourself then the music dies.”
Senior Choir Pizza Party 2018
The Senior Choir enjoyed a well deserved Pizza Party on March 27th after their three performances in Choralfest, Ecole Brentwood School's Sixth Annual Fine Arts Afternoon and the Drumheller and District Music Festival all in March 2018. It was a great time together! The Senior Choir is looking forward to their performances in the Calgary Performing Arts Festival in April and the Provincial Music Festival in May! Bravo on an awesome year!
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The Brentwood School Senior Choir Places 2nd at 2016 Provincial Choral Finals!
The Brentwood School Senior Choir travelled to Edmonton on Friday May 6th to participate in the Alberta Music Festival's Provincial Choral Finals. The competition was held at McDougall United Church and the Choir represented the Drumheller and District Music Festival. The Brentwood School Senior Choir placed 2nd in a class of eleven Grade 4 -6 Choirs from across Alberta with a Superior Rating and a mark of 91! The choir was thrilled!! The Senior Choir finished their day eating at McDonald’s in south Edmonton and swimming at the Collicutt Centre: Enmax Water Park in Red Deer. It was a fantastic day!
Senior Choir Pizza Party 2016
The Senior Choir enjoyed a well deserved Pizza Party after their three performances in the Calgary Performing Arts Festival in April 2016, Brentwood School's Fourth Annual Fine Arts Afternoon and the Drumheller and District Music Festival in March 2016. The Junior Choir celebrated at lunch on Tuesday April 26th, 2016! It was a great time together!
Brentwood School Senior Choir Performs Twice in the Summer of 2015
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The Brentwood School Senior Choir was honoured with two invitations to perform in the Summer of 2015. On July 1st the Senior Choir performed O Canada and the Canadian Flag Waver composed by Stephen Bergen, in honour of the Canadian Flag's 50th birthday, as part of the Town of Strathmore's Canada Day Celebrations on the Stampede Stage in Kinsmen Park. On July 16th they once again performed O Canada as part of the Opening Ceremonies of the Alberta 55 Plus Summer Games at the Strathmore Rodeo Grounds. Congratulations to all the Senior Choir members who took part in these two service projects for our community during the summer holidays! The choir received glowing reviews!!
Cantare Children's Choir "Cantiga" Visits Brentwood School
On Thursday May 21st the Cantare Children's Choir presented a half hour concert for our students as part of their Central Alberta Tour at 10:45 am. The Cantiga ensemble is comprised of 50 singers ages 8-11 from the Calgary area. Their Founder and Artisic Director, Catherine Glaser-Climie, is a long time friend of Mrs. Steeves. Our students were involved in the concert through some canon singing with our special guests. At the end of their concert Cantiga sang Donkey Riding by Thomas Bell. Our Senior Choir had sung Donkey Riding last year so the as an impromptu encore the two choirs combined to sing a rousing rendition! What fun!!
Brentwood School Senior Choir Places Second at 2015 Provincial Choral Finals!
The Brentwood School Senior Choir had a spectacular day at the Alberta Music Festival's Provincial Choral Finals held at McDougall United Church in Edmonton on Friday May 8th! The choir tied for second place in a class of thirteen Grade 4-6 choirs!! The choir performed so well today, received a Superior rating and an amazing mark of 92!!! The choir is so so proud:) We finished the day eating at MacDonald's and swimming at the Collicutt Centre in Red Deer:) Great team building! With our amazing accompanist Kathie Zakresky, an army of nineteen parents on our three buses, three staff members and many family members who made the trek to Edmonton in their own cars, we felt very supported. A very special day:)
Brentwood School Senior Choir to sing at the 2015 Alberta Music Festival's Provincial Choral Finals
The Brentwood School Senior Choir will be travelling to Edmonton on Friday May 8th to participate in the Alberta Music Festival's Provincial Choral Finals representing the Drumheller and District Music Festival. The choir is thrilled! Pictured are Preston and Tegan Deloli holding our nomination papers!!
The choir will be singing at 1:30 pm at McDougall United Church, eating at McDonald’s in south Edmonton and swimming at the Collicutt Centre: Enmax Water Park in Red Deer.
Special thanks to the Brentwood School Parent Council for their very generous donation of $500 to help defray costs of the Senior Choir's trip to Edmonton! A very special thank you as well to the Barbas, Drydale, Harney, Ludlum, and Nielsen families for their generous donations!! The support the Senior Choir has received is amazing!!!
Best of luck to the choir! It is going to be a fantastic day!!
The choir will be singing at 1:30 pm at McDougall United Church, eating at McDonald’s in south Edmonton and swimming at the Collicutt Centre: Enmax Water Park in Red Deer.
Special thanks to the Brentwood School Parent Council for their very generous donation of $500 to help defray costs of the Senior Choir's trip to Edmonton! A very special thank you as well to the Barbas, Drydale, Harney, Ludlum, and Nielsen families for their generous donations!! The support the Senior Choir has received is amazing!!!
Best of luck to the choir! It is going to be a fantastic day!!
Senior Choir Wins at the 2015 Drumheller and District Music Final Concert
Pictured is a very proud Tegan Deloli accepting an award on behalf of the Brentwood School Senior Choir at the Final Concert of the Drumheller and District Music Festival on Friday March 27th, 2015 at the Badlands Community Facility in Drumheller. The Brentwood School Senior Choir was awarded the G. Fred Anderson Memorial Plaque for highest mark in School Choruses, grade 4-6 and was also recommended to represent the Drumheller Music Festival at the Alberta Music Festival's Provincial Choral Finals on Friday May 8th at McDougall United Church in Edmonton. BRAVO TO ALL!
Brentwood School's Third Annual Fine Arts Afternoon
Brentwood School celebrated it's Third Annual Fine Arts Afternoon on Thursday March 26th, 2015 to an appreciative and supportive audience of family and friends who came to champion their child! The school gymnasium was transformed into a beautiful Art Gallery and Concert Hall. Parents strolled through displays of amazing artwork representing every child in the school and listened to beautiful performances by the 260 voices of the school's three choirs. The members of the Senior Choir were each recognized with a commemorative medal for their dedication to the Music Program during the 2014-15 school year. The choir's accompanist, Kathie Zakresky, was also recognized for her gifts and talents. It was a very special day at Brentwood School!
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Senior Choir sings at the Drumheller and District Music Festival 2015
The Brentwood School Senior Choir participated in their second Music Festival, the 2015 Drumheller and District Music Festival on Thursday March 19th, 2015 at the Kaleidoscope Theatre in Drumheller Valley Secondary School. The Senior Choir received a rating of "DISTINCTION" for their performance! Hats off on another fine festival performance!!
Senior Choir sings at the Calgary Performing Arts Festival 2015
The Brentwood School Senior Choir participated in the 2015 Calgary Performing Arts Festival formerly the Kiwanis Music Festival on Wednesday March 11th, 2015 on the Main Stage at Jubilee Auditorium. The Senior Choir received a rating of "EXCELLENT" for their performance! A special thank you to our accompanist Kathie Zakresky on a job well done! BRAVO to the Senior Choir for all their hard work this year!!
2014 Alberta Music Festival's Provincial Choral Finals
The Brentwood School Senior Choir travelled to Edmonton on Friday May 9th, 2014 to participate in the Alberta Music Festival's Provincial Choral Finals representing the Drumheller and District Music Festival. The choir was thrilled! They sang at 1:30 pm at McDougall United Church earning a mark of 89 and Distinction (one mark short of a Superior Rating), ate at McDonald’s in south Edmonton and swam at the Collicutt Centre: Enmax Water Park in Red Deer. It was a fantastic day!!
2014 Drumheller and District Music Festival Awards
Pictured are Laura and Kiri Sader accepting awards on behalf of the Brentwood School Junior and Senior Choirs at the Final Concert of the Drumheller and District Music Festival on Friday March 28th, 2014 at the Badlands Community Facility. The Brentwood School Senior Choir was awarded the G. Fred Anderson Memorial Plaque for highest mark in School Choruses, grade 4-6. They were also awarded the W.R. Dean Trophy and the Ross Ferby Scholarship of $100 for the highest mark awarded to a School Chorus of any grade 1-12. The Brentwood School Senior Choir was also recommended to represent the Drumheller Music Festival at the Alberta Music Festival's Provincial Choral Finals on Friday May 9th at McDougall United Church in Edmonton. BRAVO TO ALL!
Senior Choir Pizza Party 2014
The Senior Choir enjoyed a well deserved Pizza Party after their performances in Brentwood School's second Fine Arts Afternoon on Wednesday March 19th, 2014 and in the Drumheller and District Music Festival on Thursday March 20th, 2014. The Senior Choir celebrated at lunch on Tuesday March 25th, 2014! It was a great time together! Special thanks to the Dinunzio family for sponsoring the Senior Choir Pizza Party! Your generosity and support for the Senior Choir and the Music Program at Brentwood School is awesome!!
Senior Choir on Stage at the Kaleidoscope Theatre 2014
The Brentwood School Senior Choir once again participated in the 2014 Drumheller and District Music Festival on Thursday March 20th, 2014 at the Kaleidoscope Theatre in Drumheller Composite High School. The Senior Choir received an award of "Superior" for their performance. Congratulations on a job well done!
Senior Choir on Stage at Jubilee Auditorium 2014
The Brentwood School Senior Choir participated in the 2014 Calgary Kiwanis Music Festival on Tuesday February 25th, 2014 at Jubilee Auditorium. The Senior Choir received a very well deserved rating of "Excellent" for their performance! Congratulations to the Senior Choir for all their hard work this year!!
Providence Chamber Choir Visits Brentwood School in 2013
On Monday May 6th, 2013, it was a privilege to have the Providence Chamber Choir from Manitoba visited Brentwood School and performed an afternoon concert for our students and the public. A highlight of the concert was the opportunity for our Senior Choir to join voices with them for one of our favorite songs, Shalom by Allan Naplan. Our students sang a number of canons with the choir as well. It was a great day!
2013 Brentwood Senior Choir Wins Awards
Pictured here is Reanna Thiessen accepting the Brentwood School Senior Choir's awards from the Drumheller and District Music Festival at their Final Awards Concert on Friday March 21st, 2013 at the Badlands Community Facility in Drumheller. The Senior Choir was awarded the G. Fred Anderson Memorial Plaque for highest mark in School Choruses, Grade 4-6. The Senior Choir was also awarded the W.R. Dean Memorial Plaque and the McDonald's Restaurant Scholarship of $100 for the highest mark awarded any school chorus group Grades 1-12! Congratulatuions Senior Choir!!
Senior Choir on Stage at Jubilee Auditorium 2013
The Brentwood School Senior Choir performed on the stage of Jubilee Auditorium at the Calgary Kiwanis Music Festival on Thursday February 28th, 2013! Wow! The choir did an awesome job and were awarded a rating of EXCELLENT for their performance! Well done Senior Choir!
