The Saskatchewan Choral Federation recognizes people who make contributions to the province’s choral community. Four awards were given out at their recent annual general meeting, three going to people from the Yorkton area.
The Golden Note Award, which recognizes long time contribution to the choral arts, went to Jane Pearce, who sings with the Sweet Adelines and Harmony 2 Go.
The Community Service Award recognizes the contribution of an individual or group to the cultural life of Saskatchewan through their assistance to the development and support of choral music in their community. That award went to Gayla and Dean Petersen, long-time members of the Yorkton community choir and Yorkton Adult Community Band. The Petersens say that while they received the award, they share it with the community, and note that there are many other people in town worthy of recognition.
“We’ve grown up with music, we appreciate the arts, we are fortunate to be a part of it,” said Gayla.
The Petersens have been part of the band and choir since both began, and are glad they have the opportunity to play music again, noting that before the bands began they had been away from music for 25 years. They thank the accompanists that help them sound good and everyone else involved that keep the band playing and choir singing.
“We are so thankful for the people who are directing, like band director Larry Pearen, choir director Laurene Jemieff, that take on these activities... We’re so pleased that the schools are supporting band and choir activities in the school system, because that’s where it has to start,” Dean said.
On having three winners from Yorkton, Gayle says it’s a good sign for the community.
“I think it just shows the depth of the spirit of music in Yorkton to have three awards go to Yorkton from the province.”
Both school divisions were recognized with awards. Johnna McBride from the Good Spirit School Division received the Outstanding Administrator Award. This award recognizes the impact of a school administrator who has made a significant contribution to the success of music education in Saskatchewan by developing and supporting choral music in their school. McBride was recognized for her work developing an elementary school choir in the division.
Surprised to receive the award, McBride admits that she questioned whether or not the person calling her even had the right number when she was informed she won.
McBride says teaching music has been very rewarding all around, and she has had music in her life from an early age.
“It’s an honour to be recognized.”
The Pro Musica Award is in recognition of exemplary service to choral music in Saskatchewan went to Rita Hilbig, Working in the Christ the Teacher Catholic School Division, she works on the St. Michael’s music program as well as the rock band program at Sacred Heart High School.
“I think it’s a validation to me that music in our community is still important, that it’s valuable, it’s worth recognizing and the people who keep it alive are important.”
Hilberg congratulates the other winners, and sends a message of support to all music teachers, noting that they need to know their work is important, is valuable, and makes a real difference in the lives of the people they teach.
She adds that seeing three awards going to Yorkton residents shows the strength of the arts here.
“Yorkton is a very strong arts community, and I think what makes it so strong is we’re all connected, we all know each other... We share and support each other, that’s the beauty of the arts, it’s not competitive. It’s supportive and encouraging.”
With files from Sean Mott.
