Awards of Distinction
Each year, Choir Alberta honours those who contribute to Alberta’s choral community through the Choir Alberta Awards of Distinction.
All Choir Alberta members are encouraged to nominate individuals and/or organizations for one or more of the Awards of Distinction. Review of nominees will begin on Aug 31 annually.
CHOIR ALBERTA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Choir Alberta Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals with a long-established record of excellence who have had a profound influence on choral music in the Province of Alberta. Recipients are selected by a Board-appointed committee from a list of candidates nominated by Choir Alberta members.
The Choir Alberta Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals with a long-established record of excellence who have had a profound influence on choral music in the Province of Alberta. Recipients are selected by a Board-appointed committee from a list of candidates nominated by Choir Alberta members.
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2023 Recipient
MADGE MCCREADY In 1972, Madge McCready was appointed corresponding secretary for the newly established Alberta Choral Directors Association (ACDA). As the fledgling organization started to expand and help to promote choral music in the Province of Alberta, Madge, in 1978, was appointed the first Executive Director of ACDA. Under Madge’s leadership, ACDA soon morphed into the Alberta Choral Federation (ACF) and with the support of Alberta Culture, and Madge’s steadfast leadership, programs to help support choral activity across the Province were implemented. Madge was the driving force behind the formation of many of the ACF programs, many of which are still active today. Madge served as Executive Director for 15 years and has literally spent a lifetime serving the choral community of Alberta.
Past Choir Alberta Lifetime Achievement Award recipients
Dr. George Evelyn, David Ferguson, Dr. Leonard Ratzlaff |
RICHARD S. EATON AWARD
Choir Alberta has awarded the Richard S. Eaton Award of Distinction annually since 1988 in recognition of exemplary service to choral music in the province of Alberta. The award is presented to a person selected by an appointed committee of the Choir Alberta Board from a list of candidates nominated by Choir Alberta members.
Choir Alberta has awarded the Richard S. Eaton Award of Distinction annually since 1988 in recognition of exemplary service to choral music in the province of Alberta. The award is presented to a person selected by an appointed committee of the Choir Alberta Board from a list of candidates nominated by Choir Alberta members.
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2023 recipient
HEATHER JOHNSON Heather founded the Cantilon Choral Program in 1999. Recognized for her ability to inspire, she seeks to create an atmosphere in which every singer may experience the joy of choral music and understand the importance of their own individual role in the creative process. Heather studied at the University of Alberta (M.Mus., choral conducting; B.Ed. secondary music education), the Kodály Pedagogical Intézet in Kecskemét, Hungary (Kodály Diploma) and the University of Lethbridge (B.Mus, piano performance). In great demand as a choral clinician, adjudicator, lecturer and guest conductor, Heather also maintains an active voice and piano studio.
Past Richard S. Eaton Award of Distinction recipients
Adele Armstrong, Heather Bedford-Clooney, Paul Bourret, Debra Cairns, Anne Campbell, Robert de Frece, Malcolm Edwards, Lloyd Erickson, George Evelyn, Laurier Fagnan, David Ferguson, Michel Marc Gervais, Catherine Glaser-Climie, Gordon Hafso, Marilyn Kerley, William Lauterbach, Scott Leithead, Madge McCready, Anne McIntyre, Dr. Jonathan Mohr, Douglas Parnham, John Pauls, Shirley Penner, Marilyn Perkins, Elaine Pitt, Soeur Thérèse Potvin, Leonard Ratzlaff, Ardelle Ries, Elaine Quilichini, Timothy Shantz, John Wiebe, Garth Worthington, Trent Worthington |
PATRICIA COOK MEMORIAL AWARD
Patricia Cook, Executive Assistant of Choir Alberta (then the Alberta Choral Federation) from 1990-94, inspired this award with her dedication to arts advocacy and to the important role of the arts in education. The award is presented to a person, choir, institution, program or corporation who/which demonstrates an exemplary commitment to music education in schools or the wider community. The recipient is selected by an appointed committee of the Choir Alberta board from a list of candidates nominated by Choir Alberta members.
Patricia Cook, Executive Assistant of Choir Alberta (then the Alberta Choral Federation) from 1990-94, inspired this award with her dedication to arts advocacy and to the important role of the arts in education. The award is presented to a person, choir, institution, program or corporation who/which demonstrates an exemplary commitment to music education in schools or the wider community. The recipient is selected by an appointed committee of the Choir Alberta board from a list of candidates nominated by Choir Alberta members.
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2023 recipient
BEV SWEET Bev Sweet, of Wetaskiwin, has been an advocate for choral music since her arrival in Alberta more than 40 years ago. She was the manager and tour planner of the Wetaskiwin Composite High School Choir, conducted by musician and Master Teacher Paul Sweet, touring them across Canada, the USA, and abroad. She is a former President of Choir Alberta, and has, for many years, been the treasurer of the Alberta Music Festivals Association and the Executive Director of the Wetaskiwin Music Festival.
Past Patricia Cook Memorial Awards recipients
Violet Archer, Bob Baker, Raymond Baril, Calgary Association for the Development of Music Education, Jean Czaja, Alberta Music Festival Association, Malcolm Edwards, Richard Ferguson, Susan Fuerbringer, William Edward Hamm, Garth Hobden, Russ Mann, Madge McCready, George Nikel, Save Our Fine Arts (SOFA), Phyllis Schafer, Shared Song - Cantaré Children's Choir and the Calgary Separate School District, Carolyn Steeves, Marni Strome, University of Alberta Graduate Program in Choral Conducting, Colleen Whidden |
CON SPIRITO AWARD
In celebration of Choir Alberta's 25th Anniversary (1997), the Con Spirito Award recognizes the spirit and dedication of individuals and their commitment to choral music in their local community. A limited number of awards are presented annually to persons selected by an appointed committee of the Choir Alberta Board from a list of candidates nominated by Choir Alberta members. Nominations may be made on the basis of any significant contribution to choral music in any community.
In celebration of Choir Alberta's 25th Anniversary (1997), the Con Spirito Award recognizes the spirit and dedication of individuals and their commitment to choral music in their local community. A limited number of awards are presented annually to persons selected by an appointed committee of the Choir Alberta Board from a list of candidates nominated by Choir Alberta members. Nominations may be made on the basis of any significant contribution to choral music in any community.
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2023 recipients
KIMBERLEY DENIS, CHRISTINA JAHN, ANITA PERLAU Kimberley Denis is known for her energy and enthusiasm both on stage and off, and is sought after as a soloist, vocal coach, choral clinician, and adjudicator for voice and choir. She is a singer with Edmonton’s professional choir, Pro Coro Canada and has toured extensively as a singer with the world percussion group, the Jamani Duo. In addition to her stage work, she has a flourishing voice studio at her own music school – the Purple Door Music Academy, and is also the voice instructor at the King’s University in Edmonton. She currently conducts Shumayela (a choir for treble and changing voices for singers between the ages of 11 and 16) with Korora Choirs and Capital City Voices (a non-auditioned adult community ensemble).
Christina Jahn, a native of Calgary, has been an inspiring force in the development of choral music in this province and country. Christina’s passion and enthusiasm have provided the sparks which started and encouraged the artistic and administrative development of many wonderful ensembles and projects. Her influence begins with her voice and musical skills as a soprano, both as a chorister and a soloist, with numerous choral organizations both in Alberta and other provinces. Her strengths have long been recognized in her participation in numerous ensembles including Voicescapes, musica intima, and Elektra Christina’s Choir. Her leadership in the choral activities of many of these ensembles has included extensive involvement and participation in various board and volunteer positions and activities, and she is currently the treasurer of Calgary’s professional ensemble, Luminous Voices.
Anita Perlau has enjoyed a varied career in music education and choral direction. She taught music for K-Grade Eight in public schools and for 20 years she was an early childhood music instructor at Mount Royal University Conservatory. Currently, Anita teaches Grade 4-6 choral music at Webber Academy and is program director of Joyful Kids Music, aspiring to exceptional music education, especially vocal and choral, for parents and their young children. In addition to teaching the very young, Anita enjoys working with adults. She conducts 2 non-auditioned adult community choirs in Calgary, Westwinds Mixed and One Accord. In 2016, Anita began teaching as a sessional instructor of music education courses at the University of Alberta. As a strong advocate for music education, Anita serves as an Advisor to the Alberta Kodály Association and as Executive Secretary of the Kodály Society of Canada.
Past Con Spirito Award recipients
Cheryl Balay, Jean-Louis Bleau, Elizabeth DiMarino, Carolyn Olson, Margaret (Peg) Matheson, Heather Johnson, Carol Anderson, Norma Jean Atkinson, Monica Baczuk, Heather Bedford-Clooney, Dr. Joy Berg, Eva Bostrand, Brian Bowman Dave Bray, Sandra Brunelle, Linda Burwell, Donald Buryn, Bruce Cable, Mary Carr, Joanne Collier, Cathy de Frece, Robert de Frece, Monica Dear, Leslie Dittman, Lee Dowan, Malcolm Edwards, George Evelyn, Richard Ferguson, Lisa Fielder, Lynne Frances, David Garber, Catherine Glaser-Climie, Val Gondek, John Goulart, Anne Gray, Marc Hafso, Brian Haliburton, Glen Harder, Dr. John Hooper, John and Virginia Hoopfer, Janos Horvath, Nicole Hounjet, Karen Hudson, Norine Inkster, Scott Leithead, Elizabeth Lesoway Anderson, Laurier Levasseur, Dr. Mary MacDonald, John Mahon, Mike Mailone, Brian McAuley, Anne McIntyre, Leslie Ann McClosky, Moira Milne, Lorraine Muise, John Murray, Mary Noyes, Elaine Pitt, Elaine Quilichini, Leonard Ratzlaff, Flora Rizzuto, Ken Rogers, Barbara Sadler Wells, Alex and Marion Shand, Timothy Shantz, Helen Snortland, Thomas Spila, Jeremy Spurgeon, Paul Sweet, Jordan Van Biert, Jeannie Vanwynsberghe Pernal, Barb Walker, Trevor Waters, James Whittle, David Wilson, Heidi Wood, Michael Zaugg |