History

Festival Singers is a community choir based in Sherwood Park which started as a group of singers in 1990.  These singers practiced for six to eight weeks in preparation for the opening of Festival Place, the performing arts centre in Sherwood Park.  They sang at the grand opening of Festival Place in May, 1994. 

The choir named "Festival Singers" was officially formed on September 13, 1994.

On May 22, 2007, the choir formed a society, the Sherwood Park Festival Singers Society.  

Festival Singers has always maintained a high performance standard of choral music.  It has been graced with a variety of conductors, many of whom have been directly associated with the Department of Music, University of Alberta.

  Bruce Cable                                              May, 1994 to May, 1995

  Troy Lamoureux                                       September, 1995 to May, 1997

  Chandell Rimmer                                    September, 1997 to December, 1999

  Glynnis Middletown                                 September, 1999 to May, 2000

  David Brehmer / Gillian Brinston          September, 2000 to May, 2001

  Gillian Brinston                                        September, 2001 to May, 2004

  Brendan Lord                                           September, 2004 to May, 2007

  Adam Robertson                                     September, 2007 to May, 2008

  Melanie Marlin                                         September 2008 to May, 2009

  Elaine Myhre                                            September 2009 to June, 2010

  Heather Bedford Clooney                     Co-conductor as of September 2010
  Irene Apanovitch                                     Co-conductor as of September 2010

For the first two years, the choir’s accompanist was Catherine Adam.  Gayle Berg accompanied Festival Singers during rehearsals and concerts from 1992 to the spring of 2008.  Tristan Cleveland Thompson was our accompanist from September, 2008 to May, 2009.  Denis Arseneau is the accompanist for Festival Singers as of September, 2009.

Membership

Festival Singers is a community choir welcoming members from Strathcona County and nearby centers.

Most of the members of Festival Singers live in or near Sherwood Park, although some are resident in Edmonton and other communities in Strathcona County.  The choir offers two sessions, starting in September and January of each year, and averages 45  to 60 members per session.

Performances

Traditionally, Festival Singers has provided a regular set of performances, mostly within Strathcona County:
 

• A Christmas Concert at Festival Place
• A Christmas Program at the Alberta Legislature
• An Outreach Christmas Concert at one of the nursing homes in Sherwood Park
• A Spring Concert usually performed at Festival Place
• Participation in ChoralFest

 Join Festival Singers

Sessions run from September to December and January to April or May of each year. 

Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 7:30 to 10 PM.  The first rehearsal for the September, 2010 session will be in the music room of Archbishop Jordan High School, 2021 Brentwood Boulevard, Sherwood Park.  Most rehearsals are at Festival Place.

Festival Singers is a non-auditioned choir.  All adult singers are welcome.

Develop your skills as a singer and chorister with instruction from leaders in our choral community including our co- conductors, accompanist and workshop clinicians from various parts of Alberta.

Festival Singers is open to anyone who loves to sing!