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All seven of our choirs will share the stage at the Winspear Centre with special guest, Sherryl Sewepagaham.

Stories to sing

We’re thrilled to return to the Winspear again this year for our signature spring “Stories” concert. With all seven of our ensembles performing, we need a big stage! Featuring special guest artist, renowned Cree-Dene composer and musician Sherryl Sewepagaham.

Tickets available from choir members in advance, or through the button below.

PURCHASE TICKETS

Kokopelli members with Travis (second from the right).

Welcome, Travis!

We welcomed our newest exchange member from our sister choir, the University of Pretoria Youth Choir (UPYC), on January 12! If you recall, this was right in the middle of the long cold snap we enjoyed here in Edmonton last month -- quite the welcome for our poor South African friend arriving from high summer.

We asked Travis to tell us a little about himself.

What's your musical background?

I started singing in choirs in grade 2 and never stopped since. I get it from my mom because she sings too, but in her church choir. I have my grade 1 in piano, but I want to continue with piano.

Your favourite memory from singing with UPYC?

A hard question this one, but having someone come up to me after a concert & telling me that they loved my voice, that I should become a recording artist and that I brought them to tears. Kinda corny, but that's the memory that stays with me!

Best thing about Canada so far?
Best thing about Canada so far, is just being able to come back and see things that weren’t here when I was here in 2016 with UPYC... like the snow!

Hardest thing about Canada so far?

This would have to be the dangerously cold weather the first week I arrived, plus adjusting to the fact that Canadians drive on the wrong side of the road! I still can’t get over that.

Vacilando at Camp Nakamun

For the first time ever, our adult choir Vacilando "retreated" to Camp Nakamun northwest of Edmonton for a weekend of singing, socializing, and learning. We welcomed a guest clinician near and dear to us -- Scott Leithead, our own Artistic Director! It marked the first time in the choir's history that we enjoyed a workshop with Scott. He is in high demand! We learned a gospel piece, a South African piece, and enjoyed some clinic time on one of our more challenging selections for our next concert. The choir also got in some quality board-gaming time and bonded over trying to make towers out of dried spaghetti, one marshmallow, tape, and some string.

All in all, the choir agreed that retreats are great, and we should do it again next season!

A concert recommendation

The Braille Tone Music Society was founded by our own Artistic Director, Scott Leithead, and continues today with a strong connection to Kokopelli Choirs. We love this amazing organization and wholeheartedly recommend them as a great concert experience!

On Sunday, February 23, The Braille Tone, Semitone and Uketone Choirs will join with local children's entertainers Michelle and Friends to present The Cat Came Back. The Braille Tone choirs' neurodiverse singers have a love for fun and humour that match the sensibility of Michelle Rempel (fiddle and voice) and her bass, drum, banjo, and guitar playing friends! This 3:30 p.m. concert is perfect for kids and the young at heart, featuring hits like Baby Shark, The Bare Necessities, and Raffi's Baby Beluga. Music will also include hilarious but lesser known tunes such as Boneless Chickens Cannot Cross the Road! There will be mats for kids to sit, dance, and wiggle; as well as chairs for adults to sit and enjoy the music and the newly renovated basement space in the Foote Auditorium at St. Paul's United Church (11526-76 Avenue), a fully accessible venue. This promises to be an entertaining afternoon for all, and a great introduction to choral singing for young ones.

Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10 each, with free admission for little ones under age 2.

Do you make an amazing craft? Provide private yoga lessons? Can you connect us with a restaurant or a hotel that might offer a wonderful experience? We're seeking donations for our silent auction taking place at the Kokopelli Choirs Gala on June 11, 2020. Contact us at office@kokopellichoirs.com if you can help!

Seeking Corporate Connections...

Do you work for Imperial Oil, KPMG, Aviva, or Atco? We’d love to chat with you about some of their community giving programs. Contact the office if you are employed by these or any companies that have employee volunteer or donation matching programs.