an outstanding choral opportunity for youth
The Alberta Youth Choir provides a unique opportunity singers from across the province to pursue excellence in choral music under the direction of a renowned conductor. Conductors and teachers from across the province are asked to encourage their best singers to audition for this choir.
For singers ages 16-22
Dr. Elroy Friesen, guest conductor
Rehearsal Weekend | 16-17 October 2010, Red Deer
Residency | 4-6 November 2010, Red Deer
SIGN UP FOR AN AUDITION HERE!
The audition application deadline is 15 September 2010.
The choir will be featured in the Gala Concert of Music Conference Alberta.
Friday, 5 November 2010, 8:00 p.m.| Mainstage, Red Deer College
TICKETS $10
Click the links below to hear exceprts of past AYC performances
AYC 2008 | Adam Con, conductor • Desh by Ethan Sperry
AYC 2008 | Adam Con, conductor • Poputnaya Pesnia by Mikhail Glinka, arr. Vadim Prokhorov
AYC 2008 | Adam Con, conductor • Vela! Asambeni Siyekhaya! by Andre van der Merwe
AYC 2007 | Stephen Hatfield, conductor • Salish Song by Derek Healy
AYC 2007 | Stephen Hatfield, conductor • I Am the Great Sun by Jussi Chydenius
AYC 2006 | Juan Tony Guzman, conductor • Dos Indios Krau arr. Marcos Leite
Dr. Elroy Friesen • AYC 2010 Guest Conductor
Dr. Elroy Friesen is Director of Choral Studies at the University of Manitoba where he conducts the University Singers, Cantata Singers and Women’s Chorus as well as teaches conducting, graduate conducting and music education. He has recently completed his doctoral studies at the University of Illinois focusing his research on the choral music of Finnish composer, Einojuhani Rautavaara, including conducting the Canadian premiere and CBC broadcast of Vigilia. His ensembles are frequently recorded by CBC, and have received numerous awards for their performances in Manitoba and Canada. As well as touring internationally, they perform with many outstanding local and national arts organizations, including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Canadian College of Organists, Kokopelli, the WSO New Music Festival, Soundstreams Canada, Groundswell, and the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra. Dr. Friesen has studied at the University of Manitoba (B. Mus., B. Ed., M. Mus.) and the University of Illinois (DMA), receiving numerous study grants and scholarships from the Manitoba Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Foundation for Choral Music in Manitoba.
Dr. Friesen is the founder and past artistic director of Prairie Voices, and has recently held the positions of Artistic Director of the Mennonite Community Orchestra, Director of Choirs at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Urbana, and Director of the U of I University Chorus in Illinois. He is in demand as a clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor, having performed throughout Canada and the United States and has recently had conducting engagements in Sweden and South America. Elroy and his wife Heidi are raising their family of four children in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Shiela Wright • AYC 2010 Pianist
Sheila Wright has become well established in Edmonton as a pianist, composer and teacher. She has worked as a musician in concert halls, churches, ballet studios, restaurants and a hotel in the Yukon. Sheila maintains a studio of 30 students and is continually fascinated by the art of music education. She received her education from the music departments at the Universities of Alberta and Victoria and the Banff Centre for the Arts.
REPERTOIRE HISTORY:
AYC 2009
Guest Conductor: Maria Guinand
Apprentice Conductor: Maria Conkey
Accompanist: Dr. Roger Admiral
Vocal Coach: none
Al tribunal de tu Pecho | Carlos Guastavino (Neil A. Kjos)
Una de dos | Carlos Guastavino (Neil A. Kjos)
O Magnum Mysterium | Cesar Carillo (earthsongs)
Carpuela Lindo | Eugenio Auz (earthsongs)
Guarare | Ricardo Fabregas, arr. Alberto Grau (earthsongs)
Duerme Negrito | arr. Emilio Sole (earthsongs)
Pater Noster | Alberto Grau (earthsongs)
Son de la Loma | Miguel Matamoros, arr. Alberto Grau (earthsongs)
Donkey Riding from Boot Jack Jaw Harp |arr. Donald Coakley (Lesley)
The Winter's Gone from Boot Jack Jaw Harp |arr. Donald Coakley (Lesley)
Rattle on the Stovepipe from Boot Jack Jaw Harp |arr. Donald Coakley (Lesley)
AYC 2008
Guest Conductor: Dr. Adam Con
Apprentice Conductor: Elaine Myhre
Accompanist: Dr. Roger Admiral
Vocal Coach: none
Exultate Deo | Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (Schirmer)
Frohlocket Ihr Volker Auf Erden | Felix Mendelssohn
Desh | Ethan Sperry (earthsongs)
Paradise Song of Georgian Bay | Eleanor Daley (Rhythmic Trident Music)
Bach (Again) Come Sweet Death | J.S. Bach, arr. Edwin Londan & Rhonda Sandberg (Colla Voce)
Poputnaya Pesnia (Travelling Song) | Mikhail Glinka (Schirmer)
Vela! Asambeni Siyekhaya! | Andre van der Merwe (earthsongs)