Season wrap-up

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Celebrated for its strong choral tradition and past success, Brentwood Elementary School commemorated the end of another triumphant year when all three choirs received esteemed recognition within 48 hours.
After the Brentwood Senior Choir placed second for a second consecutive year with a superior mark of 91 at provincials, Brentwood music teacher Carolyn Steeves was still on the bus with her students when she received an e-mail informing her of the primary choir’s win – made up of Grade 1 students – at the Calgary Performing Arts Festival where they performed two weeks prior.
Only hours later, the elementary school became aware that the junior choir – Grade 2 and Grade 3 – had also placed second, competing against nine choirs and receiving a rating of distinction and a mark of 88.
“This festival year has been remarkable, because never ever since I’ve been at this school did all three choirs win something within 24 hours of each other,”
said Steeves. “It’s an external verification for what they’re doing and I think that’s important to recognize their hard work. We’ve had choirs in our school since I’ve been here and we have won at provincials before and we have won at the Calgary Performing Arts Festival before, but just for them all to win that close together was fun.”
Although work ethic and a long-standing choral tradition contributed to this year’s success, Steeves also praised the choristers for recognizing the importance of a strong musical blend, understanding vowels, phrasing, and breathing, and using their sound and face to convey a story and emotion. While the primary and senior choir were able to perform for their awards, the junior choir was required to submit an audio recording – eliminating the dimension of influencing judges and the audiences through their physical performance.
Brentwood Elementary School wrapped up their festival season for the year.
“I think all three choirs worked really hard as their own entities and all tried to pursue excellence and sing their very best,” Steeves added. “The kids have done well and they’ve been recognized and the school’s been recognized for a long-term music program that’s been here and it’s been a nice feather in our hat to end the school year with.”