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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2022 Recipient
GEORGE EVELYN Dr. George Evelyn came to the University of Lethbridge as professor of choral activities and voice. Prior to that he held positions at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and Mount Allison University. Simultaneously he maintained and active career as a solo performer appearing with orchestras across Canada. During his tenure at the U of L, he was instrumental in growing the choral program providing choral opportunities for hundreds of students, many of whom continue to teach and perform. George is a former board member of Choir Alberta and served a term as President. He is a former conductor of the Alberta Youth Choir and assistant conductor of the National Youth Choir. Upon his retirement, he was appointed Professor Emeritus and he has continued his commitment to promoting choral music across the province.
Past Choir Alberta Lifetime Achievement Award recipients
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.
Awarded posthumously, presented to Robyn Simpson Mohr.
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2022 recipient
JONATHAN MOHR Dr. Jonathan Mohr attended Camrose Lutheran College (now, the University of Alberta Augustana Faculty) as an undergraduate student and began teaching music at CLC in 1976. A fine choral singer and soloist, Jonathan was the campus choral conductor between 1978-1988. A generation of choristers from those years fondly remember the sense of musicality and camaraderie he fostered. With an analytical mind well suited to pattern-seeking within complex structures, Jonathan went on to earn a PhD in computing science and became a rigorous and respected teacher within this discipline. A respectful listener, curious about wide-ranging topics, he was an observer of life and a passionate learner. Jonathan served as Chair of the Science Department at the University of Alberta Augustana Campus, advising many in their research and teaching careers.
Jonathan played an integral role in galvanizing Choir Alberta (then known as the Alberta Choral Federation). As president of the Alberta Choral Federation (now Choir Alberta) between 1980 and 1982, Jonathan was involved in the foundational meetings of the Association of Canadian Choral Conductors (ACCC, now Choral Canada) and was instrumental in drafting the first constitution. He served on the first ACCC Board of Directors as founding Past President from 1980 to 1984 and was an ACCC Charter Life Member. 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, 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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2022 recipient
SUSAN FUERBRINGER Susan Fuerbringer was an elementary music specialist for the Calgary Catholic School District from 1976 to 2005 and continues to guest teach to this day (and loves it!). In her time working with the CCSD, she taught at several district schools and the Fine Arts Centre. She was a founding member of the Calgary chapter of Carl Orff Canada and directed choirs for the Calgary Boys’ Choir for many years. Susan and her son, Peter founded and ran Kids on Broadway for 12 years, involving choral singing, Orff and other instruments and even dance. Many of the current employees of the CCSD cite Susan’s passion and dedication to music as the reason why they pursued careers as music teachers themselves.
Past Patricia Cook Memorial Awards recipients
Jean Czaja, Alberta Music Festival Association, Violet Archer, Bob Baker, Raymond Baril, Calgary Association for the Development of Music Education, Jean Czaja, Malcolm Edwards, Richard Ferguson, 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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2020 recipients
JOHN HOOPER, HEIDI WOOD, MICHAEL ZAUGG Dr. John Hooper, professor emeritus at Concordia University of Edmonton, conducted the Concordia Concert Choir, taught conducting, choral methods, theory and aural skills as well as served as the director of the School of Music. The Concert Choir under his direction performed in concerts and special events around Alberta, nationally, and abroad. His research focus on choral repertoire, that of Canadians in particular, led to several conference presentations both nationally and abroad. He has conducted ensembles in Asia, Australia, Japan, as well as in Alberta, with Da Camera Singers, The King’s University choirs, Sine Nomine Chamber Choir and the Alberta Honour Choir.
Heidi Wood holds Bachelor of Music (Voice) and Education degrees from the University of Lethbridge and a Master of Music degree (Opera performance) from the University of British Columbia. She has been leading both traditional choirs and vocal jazz ensembles for over 18 years in Calgary at Lord Beaverbrook and Joane Cardinal Schubert High Schools and currently directs Cum Vino Cantus, an adult community choir in Calgary.Heidi’s focus in the classroom is creating an engaging community for learning and sharing through music and innovative programming and experiences for students. Choirs under Ms. Wood’s direction are consistent platinum award recipients at festivals, having recently received the Adjudicators Choice at the Cantando festival in Whistler. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Wood is sought after as an adjudicator, clinician, session presenter, and guest conductor.
Michael Zaugg is the Artistic and Managing Director of the professional ensemble Pro Coro Canada in Edmonton. Michael previously led other notable Canadian choirs including, the St. Lawrence Choir (2008-2013), voces boreales (2006-2015), and the Cantata Singers Ottawa (2005-2014). Michael has worked with groups including the Vancouver Chamber Choir, National Youth Choir of Canada, the BBC Singers, and as Chorus Master of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal (2006-2011). Michael Zaugg is strongly committed to his work with emerging artists, as Program Director of ‘Choral Art’ at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and with the Emerging Artist program of Pro Coro Canada. Michael holds degrees in voice, conducting and music education from the University in Basel and in choral conducting from Royal Academy of Music, Stockholm. In 2018 he was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music (Hon DMus) by Scotland’s King’s College, University of Aberdeen.
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, 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 Vansynsberghe Pernal, Barb Walker, Trevor Waters, James Whittle, David Wilson |