Songquest!
Songquest spotlights younger Kokopelli choirs.
For the first time ever, Kikimasu and Shumayela are about to host their very own concert—Songquest—in the warm, intimate confines of Trinity United Church...
For the first time ever, Kikimasu and Shumayela are about to host their very own concert—Songquest—in the warm, intimate confines of Trinity United Church (capacity 300).
The younger ensembles in the Kokopelli Choir Association normally share the spotlight with their older choral siblings, Kokopelli and Òran. This time, the stage is theirs alone.
“These kids have earned it,” explains Scott Leithead, Kokopelli’s artistic director. “If you’ve been to our other shows this year, you know these two choirs make amazing music in their own right. We wanted to give them the chance to stretch their wings a bit—to perform longer sets, to collaborate, and to really showcase all their hard work.”
“The concert is a celebration of children and song,” adds Carmen So, conductor of Kikimasu (ages 8–12). Kikimasu’s set will include folk songs from Russia, Israel, and Africa, as well as North American folk songs and spirituals. The choir, in its very first year, recently wowed the adjudicators at Edmonton’s Choralfest.
The members of Shumayela (ages 12–16) have enjoyed being role models this season, after spending three years as the youngest Kokopelli choir. As the choir has matured, so has its repertoire, says conductor Kim Denis. “And in this concert, kids in the choir are doing many of the extras—percussion, strings, etc. It’s amazing how talented and musical these kids can be.”
Shumayela and Kikimasu performed a song together at February’s Stories concert. At Songquest they will expand their musical partnership, teaming up for four African songs (complete with dance and movement) and a medley of sea shanties.
Songquest takes place at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 17 at Trinity United Church (8810 Meadowlark Road). Tickets ($16, $13 student/senior) are available by phone (780) 420-1757, at Tix on the Square (tixonthesquare.ca), or at the door.
For the first time ever, Kikimasu and Shumayela are about to host their very own concert—Songquest—in the warm, intimate confines of Trinity United Church...
For the first time ever, Kikimasu and Shumayela are about to host their very own concert—Songquest—in the warm, intimate confines of Trinity United Church (capacity 300).
The younger ensembles in the Kokopelli Choir Association normally share the spotlight with their older choral siblings, Kokopelli and Òran. This time, the stage is theirs alone.
“These kids have earned it,” explains Scott Leithead, Kokopelli’s artistic director. “If you’ve been to our other shows this year, you know these two choirs make amazing music in their own right. We wanted to give them the chance to stretch their wings a bit—to perform longer sets, to collaborate, and to really showcase all their hard work.”
“The concert is a celebration of children and song,” adds Carmen So, conductor of Kikimasu (ages 8–12). Kikimasu’s set will include folk songs from Russia, Israel, and Africa, as well as North American folk songs and spirituals. The choir, in its very first year, recently wowed the adjudicators at Edmonton’s Choralfest.
The members of Shumayela (ages 12–16) have enjoyed being role models this season, after spending three years as the youngest Kokopelli choir. As the choir has matured, so has its repertoire, says conductor Kim Denis. “And in this concert, kids in the choir are doing many of the extras—percussion, strings, etc. It’s amazing how talented and musical these kids can be.”
Shumayela and Kikimasu performed a song together at February’s Stories concert. At Songquest they will expand their musical partnership, teaming up for four African songs (complete with dance and movement) and a medley of sea shanties.
Songquest takes place at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 17 at Trinity United Church (8810 Meadowlark Road). Tickets ($16, $13 student/senior) are available by phone (780) 420-1757, at Tix on the Square (tixonthesquare.ca), or at the door.
INFORMATION
Kathleen Skinner
(780) 977-7295