Newmarket
November 28, 2008 09:15 AM
Teresa Latchford, Staff Writer
Elementary students will serenade shoppers in the new year.
Choirs Festivals of Canada, an organization that hosts an annual event at Upper Canada Mall for the past seven years, gives elementary student choirs from the public and Catholic school boards, as well as private schools across York Region, the chance to showcase their talents in a non-competitive, but public environment, organization founder Doug Pettigrew said.
“Elementary schools don’t get many opportunities to perform outside the classroom,” he said. “The festival is also an opportunity for schools to see other schools perform.”
Last year, the event attracted 18 school and Mr. Pettigrew can remember when he was excited just to have 10 groups.
Although the focus of the festival is not competitive, the top 10 performances will be chosen to return for a finale where each choir will be recorded live inside the mall, which is copied and sent to participating schools.
“People have suggested I should franchise the festival, but I could never let it go,” Mr. Pettigrew said. “To see a kindergarten kid line up with 100 others to share their joy of music is priceless.”
Each school gets 15 minutes to perform three or four songs, sharing their love for singing and spreading the joy that comes with music, he added.
His own passion for music, coming from generations of musical family members himself, was the drive to create the organization which honours the motto by the kids, for the kids.
“They come to have fun,” he said. “That’s what it is all about.”
The festival will take place at the Upper Canada Mall Feb. 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every 15 minutes with the finale to follow on Feb. 28.
Schools and teachers looking to register their choir can do so by visiting www.choirsfestivalscanada.com.
For more information about the festival contact Choirs Festivals of Canada at 905-836-660 or choirs@choirsfestivalscanada.com.