Children’s choir makes music

Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter

 

This year, instead of all three choir groups attending the Drumheller and District Music Festival, the Strathmore Children’s Choir opted to bring a clinician in for their choral students.
“Our oldest choir ‘Finale’ will still be attending the Drumheller festival. Last year our adjudicator was able to come to Strathmore to work with us as the weather had been so bad, and it was such a positive experience for the choir members to sing for their families -when we drive to Drumheller it’s more difficult for families to come and watch- that we thought we would try this for a change this year,” said Children’s Choir Director Loralee Laycock.
Dave Mikuliak came out to work with the Strathmore Choir on March 12. He has been directing choirs of all age levels for over 25 years, working in several school systems and communities throughout southern Alberta.
“I knew Dave years ago as a musical director of a play that I was in,” said Laycock. “He is highly energetic, positive, and in his words, ‘believes in process over product.’ I felt that was a great fit for our choir as my goal is always to teach the importance of having music in our lives.”
Mikuliak also places an emphasis on student understanding and recognition of vocal practice, musicality, and expressivity to further the processes of positive rehearsal techniques.
During the clinic Mikuliak listened to the kids perform their prepared pieces and then taught them different ways they could improve on them. He also spent time teaching the kids different singing and choral techniques.
“I feel it is always important for my choirs to hear feedback from other musicians. By having an opportunity to work with a clinician who doesn’t see them each week, they will be able to learn new ways to work together as a choir,” said Laycock.
One of the things Mikuliak taught the kids was that if the process of learning to create music is the most important thing, then the product would naturally follow.
Laycock said the evening was both a positive and educational experience for all three choirs. Mikuliak worked with each group on their level and gave them ideas how to improve. The choirs were happy to perform in front of their parents, and Laycock said she was very happy with the evening and how it turned out.