Congratulations Katy!
Congratulations to Kathleen Luyk, our brilliant executive director and the talented, creative, and compassionate director of Òran and Vacilando. Katy was awarded a Con Spirito Award from Choir Alberta at a virtual ceremony on February 27. The Con Spirito Award recognizes "the spirit and dedication of individuals and their commitment to choral music in their local community.
Kokopelli Choir Association president Winston Pei gave the following intro at the virtual ceremony:
"Good afternoon, members of the Choir Alberta board, distinguished guests, and all of our award winners.
Thank you for this opportunity to say a few words about Katy Luyk.
In a word, Katy is remarkable, one of the most remarkable people I know.
Many of you will know her as the Executive Director of the Kokopelli Choir Association, the conductor and director of two of our three adult choirs, Òran and Vacilando, a past President of Choir Alberta, and a busy clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator.
But what I’d like to share today is a bit of what perhaps you don’t see.
For three years first as a choir parent, then the past eight serving on the Kokopelli Board and as a singer in Òran, I have had the privilege of getting to know Katy not just in what she has done, but seeing how she does it. It’s in all the ways, tiny and huge, that she has quietly and steadfastly steered our organization through eleven years of growth and development, and most recently through what for all of us has been the most challenging year of trying to manage an arts organization. It’s in how her skills as an artist fuel her work as an arts administrator and arts advocate, and her skills as an administrator focus and temper the art that she has helped create all across the country. It’s in how it always comes back to the people… the humanity… being expressed through the artistry, and the administration.
So much of what the Kokopelli Choir Association has become is due to Katy’s vision of what a choir organization can be, and what a choir organization should be. And as is being recognized in Katy being awarded the Choir Alberta Con Spirito Award, this vision extends well beyond our organization… it’s about what choir is meant to be for us all.
So, on behalf of the Kokopelli Board and Artistic Staff, we are delighted that you are being recognized for your incredible leadership and dedication to the choral community… on behalf of my fellow choristers in Òran and Vacilando, we love you so much… and from me, simply, thank you. It is a joy and a privilege to consider you a friend."
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We are at just over $4000 in tickets sold, so the winner of our 50/50 will get receive a guaranteed payout of more than $2000!
If you're feeling lucky - get in on the fun!
There are still tickets left at one for $10 and three for $20.
Raffle closes Tuesday March 16, just in time for the lucky St. Patrick's Day draw online on March 17!
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Continuing to make music in so many ways!
ChandraTala and Vacilando had a terrific workshop with Julia Davids and some members of the Canadian Chamber Choir at the beginning of March (see photo above). Through videoconference, the various Kokopelli choirs have been able to connect with many other choral groups from across the country and around the world! In the last few months, special guests have included: FreePlay Duo, Andrew Withington (New Zealand), Ariose Choir, Elise Bradley & Choirs Aotearoa (New Zealand), and composers Katerina Gimon and Marie-Claire Saindon. Our choirs have also done some virtual projects with other choirs including: Elektra, Myriad, Nova Voce, Adleisia, and Sirens.
Some of our conductors have worked with and given presentations to other choirs: Guelph Youth Singers, Elk Island Choirs, Vancouver Youth Choirs (Scott), the University of Regina Chamber Singers (Kitbielle), Lethbridge Orff chapter, the Calgary Women's Choir, and Da Camera Singers (Kim), Saskatchewan Youth Choir, Calgary Philharmonic Choir, and Avanti Chamber Singers (Laura). Laura was also interviewed for a podcast Fresh Sounds, and continues working on the Sonic Timelapse project.
As COVID-19 restrictions continue to change, Kokopelli has been meeting online and a few singers have been meeting in very small groups outside for short sessions implementing all AHS guidelines. With the arrival of slightly warmer weather, Kokopelli has been conducting its small-group sessions in the shelter of a parkade!
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Volunteer Chat - Meet Elaine Kinghorn!
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