"Music is the movement of sound
to reach the soul for the education of its virtue."
PLATO
SJCS CHOIR PROGRAM
The Primacy of the SJCS Choral Program
The primacy of our choral program reflects our view that beautiful music has a powerful
influence on the development of children. Good art reflects foundational principles of
beauty. We teach our students to seek and discern beauty in the works of man, whether secular or sacred. The form and text of those notable works draws the student towards virtue, and into relationship with God and the magnificence of his creation.
The education that the children receive at SJCS is ordered towards Goodness, Truth and Beauty,
which find their highest expression in the liturgy. Knowing this, we take special efforts to learn
music from the vast treasury of the Catholic Tradition and to make the liturgy as beautiful as
possible. Abundant graces flow from the Holy Trinity, throughout the schola, and through the
lives of anyone affiliated with SJCS.
It is the most important thing we do.
The primacy of our choral program reflects our view that beautiful music has a powerful
influence on the development of children. Good art reflects foundational principles of
beauty. We teach our students to seek and discern beauty in the works of man, whether secular or sacred. The form and text of those notable works draws the student towards virtue, and into relationship with God and the magnificence of his creation.
The education that the children receive at SJCS is ordered towards Goodness, Truth and Beauty,
which find their highest expression in the liturgy. Knowing this, we take special efforts to learn
music from the vast treasury of the Catholic Tradition and to make the liturgy as beautiful as
possible. Abundant graces flow from the Holy Trinity, throughout the schola, and through the
lives of anyone affiliated with SJCS.
It is the most important thing we do.
SJCS Senior Choir at Alberta Choralfest 2019
View our YouTube channel
SJCS CHOIR DIRECTORS
Katheryne Perri Edwards - Little Lamb Choir
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Katheryne Perri Edwards graduated from the U of A with distinction with a B.Ed (Music Education) and from the U of C with a M.Ed (Specialization in Early Childhood Music). Katheryne has taught music for 37 years; the first 13 years with the Calgary Separate School Board where she received an Excellence in Teaching Award and her last 24 years with the Youth Singers of Calgary where she was the Program Director/Teacher of the Kids & Music Program.
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Katheryne believes in music for all. She brings her love and joy of music to young children by engaging students dynamically through song, games, movement and creative teaching. Her curriculum is child-centred; her teaching environment - nurturing. She feels blessed to be teaching the Little Lambs, and joining the SJCS team.
Kathryn Berko - Director of Junior Choirs
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Kathryn Berko is very excited to be taking on the role as Director of the Junior Choirs. A born and raised Calgarian, she continues to be active in the city’s choral scene. She is currently the Artistic Director of the Calgary Boys’ Choir and will be starting as Artistic Director of the Calgary Children’s Choir this September. While growing up she was involved with the Calgary Children’s Choir, the Mount Royal Youth Choir, Ad Libitum Vocal Arts Ensemble, and the University of Calgary Chamber Singers.
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She is active as a musician at Canadian Martyrs Parish. She has completed her Bachelor of Music in Education as well as her Bachelor of Education, both from the University of Calgary. She has completed her Kodály Level 2 certification from the University of Alberta.
Malcolm Edwards - Director of Senior Choirs
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Malcolm Edwards was born in Halifax, England and immigrated to Canada in 1967. He is a graduate of Sheffield College of Education (UK), Trinity College of Music, London, the University of Lethbridge, the University of Montana and has done further graduate work at the University of Northern Colorado. He taught music in junior and senior high school for twelve years in southern Alberta before joining the University of Calgary as a Professor of Music Education in 1980.
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He has held leadership positions within the Alberta Choral Federation, the Association of Canadian Choral Communities, served on the Board of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and is active as a choral adjudicator and workshop leader in schools and churches. He is the recipient of two awards from the Provincial Federation – one in recognition of advocacy in arts education and the second in recognition of exemplary service to choral music within the Province of Alberta. In 2004 he received recognition from the national body (ACCC) for twenty-five years of service to the Canadian choral community. His choral compositions are published by Hinshaw Music, Alliance, Warner Brothers (Gordon V. Thompson) and Cypress Publications.
SJCS Choirs
SJCS has five choirs. The Little Lamb Choir consists of students in grades 1 & 2. There is a grade 3/4 Junior Choir, and a grade 5/6 Junior Choir. The Senior Choir consisting of students in grades 7-12. SJCS also supports the
St John Singers, a performance choir chosen from among the ranks of the Senior Choir and prepared for special events.
In the course of their time at SJCS, we aim to provide students with a well-rounded musical education, fostering musical literacy and a lifelong love of music. Our students learn to develop their voices as instruments and to sing musically and confidently.
SJCS has five choirs. The Little Lamb Choir consists of students in grades 1 & 2. There is a grade 3/4 Junior Choir, and a grade 5/6 Junior Choir. The Senior Choir consisting of students in grades 7-12. SJCS also supports the
St John Singers, a performance choir chosen from among the ranks of the Senior Choir and prepared for special events.
In the course of their time at SJCS, we aim to provide students with a well-rounded musical education, fostering musical literacy and a lifelong love of music. Our students learn to develop their voices as instruments and to sing musically and confidently.
LITTLE LAMB CHOIR
Grades 1 & 2 students make up our Little Lamb Choir. Students will learn age-appropriate skills and theory. Little Lambs participate in some of the scheduled SJCS performances.
Grades 1 & 2 students make up our Little Lamb Choir. Students will learn age-appropriate skills and theory. Little Lambs participate in some of the scheduled SJCS performances.
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JUNIOR CHOIRS
Grades 3/4 and 5/6 students create the two divisions of the Junior Choir. Students learn healthy vocal technique and also develop skills in theory, solfege, sight reading, and accurate intonation. The repertoire of the Junior Choir includes quality selections from liturgical, sacred and secular genres. |
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SENIOR CHOIR
Grades 7-12 students sing in the Senior Choir. The focus of the Senior Choir program is on sacred music, especially that which is suited to the sacred liturgy of the Mass. The SJCS Senior Choir sings Mass settings, chant, polyphonic hymns and motets for the First Friday Masses throughout the Diocese of Calgary. The Senior Choir also sings a variety of quality secular music, and performs for audiences whenever their schedule allows them to accept those invitations.
Grades 7-12 students sing in the Senior Choir. The focus of the Senior Choir program is on sacred music, especially that which is suited to the sacred liturgy of the Mass. The SJCS Senior Choir sings Mass settings, chant, polyphonic hymns and motets for the First Friday Masses throughout the Diocese of Calgary. The Senior Choir also sings a variety of quality secular music, and performs for audiences whenever their schedule allows them to accept those invitations.
"I regard the senior choir more as a community than a class - and, hopefully as students grow and mature within it, they come to see it that way as well. It is definitely a participatory culture where every choir member has to give back with accurate voices, thinking ears and feeling minds. Choirs are a way of singing community into being - and on our best days, (rare as they may be) it can be a transcendent experience. Singing doesn't just make us feel better - it makes us better people. By singing in a choir, we choose to recede from selfish concerns and pursue harmony with those around us."
~Malcolm Edwards, Director of the Senior Choir
~Malcolm Edwards, Director of the Senior Choir
FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTION
to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
St John Choir Schola, as a community, practices the First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by ministering at the First Friday Masses. The senior choir sings the Mass setting, hymns, and motets, and the junior choir and staff join other family members and attendees. All are very welcome to join us in our devotion to the Sacred Heart by attending the nine First Friday Masses from September to May.
to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
St John Choir Schola, as a community, practices the First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by ministering at the First Friday Masses. The senior choir sings the Mass setting, hymns, and motets, and the junior choir and staff join other family members and attendees. All are very welcome to join us in our devotion to the Sacred Heart by attending the nine First Friday Masses from September to May.
SJCS MUSICAL THEATRE
St John Choir Schola produces a high quality musical every other year. Past performances have been very successful and there are many opportunities for students to become involved in the production from auditioned acting roles and the chorus, to helping with the technical side of the show. Previous plays have included Fiddler on the Roof, Beauty and the Beast, and this year's The Sound of Music.
Visit our Youtube channel to see a sample of our most recent recordings and events.
Visit our Youtube channel to see a sample of our most recent recordings and events.
OTHER CHORAL EVENTS
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A Festival of NINE LESSONS & CAROLS
A yearly favourite, Nine Lesson & Carols is an Advent tradition celebrated every year on Gaudette Sunday. We are lead in Scripture and song through the narrative of the Old Testament and toward the mystery of the Incarnation. TENEBRAE: An Evening of Lenten Lessons & Hymns A new tradition, Tenebrae is celebrated every year during Holy Week. Through Scripture and song, we trace our salvation history. |
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"Music has a power of forming the character and should therefore be introduced into the education of the young."
ARISTOTLE
ARISTOTLE
