History of the Choir
The Rothesay-Kings Rotary Girls Choir was established in 1989 by Dr. Kevin Langford, and is made up of girls in Grades 7 to 12 (girls in Grade 6 are eligible to join the Preparatory Choir). Choir members are from Saint John, the Kennebecasis Valley and other nearby points. The Choir practices weekly from September to June and also has monthly workshops. Since 1989 the Choir has received annual funding from the Rothesay-Kings Rotary Club, which helps with some of the operating expenses.
Since 1989 the Choir has travelled to Powell River, BC for Kathamixw (1994), Festival 500 in Newfoundland (1997), Unisong in Ottawa (2002 and 2006), Halifax, NS (1993 and 1998), Charlottetown, PEI Music Festival (1996), and has performed in various locations around New Brunswick. In October 2009 the girls travelled to Halifax where they participated in a workshop with the Cantatrice Girls Choir and shared their music with Bedford United Church. The Choir has performed at numerous charity functions, as well as special celebrations in Saint John, including the opening of the Imperial Theatre, and as part of NB Opera's production of TOSCA (2004). The have performed on the Queen Mary 2 at Port in Saint John, on the annual Empty Stocking Fund telethon broadcast, and provided music many times at the Saint John Sea Dogs hockey games.
In 2009 the Choir auditioned and was chosen to perform at the Olympic Torch Relay Celebration in Saint John. The song, "There's a Light", was written specially for the Relay, and was performed by selected choirs across Canada. In 2010 the Choir competed in the 2010 New Brunswick Competitive Festival of Music where they were awarded the Dr. Joyce Lumb plaque for "the best performance of a choral composition by a Canadian composer". A special 20th Anniversary concert was held in 2010, with special guests Lauren Estey and Jillian Bonner (former Choir members); the Sea Belles; and Fourth Avenue, as well as a "Reunion Choir" made up of former RKRGC members.
In September 2010 the Choir was chosen to take part in Magic Music Days (Disney Youth Performing Arts Program) at Disney World! They travelled to Orlando, Florida at the end of June 2011, took part in a Disney workshop, and most exciting of all, performed at Disney World on Canada Day, July 1st, 2011!! Fundraising events took place throughout 2010 and 2011 to raise the necessary funds, and with the help of so many supporters we were able to cover the cost of the entire trip for each Choir member. Thank you to everyone who helped!
Since 1989 the Choir has travelled to Powell River, BC for Kathamixw (1994), Festival 500 in Newfoundland (1997), Unisong in Ottawa (2002 and 2006), Halifax, NS (1993 and 1998), Charlottetown, PEI Music Festival (1996), and has performed in various locations around New Brunswick. In October 2009 the girls travelled to Halifax where they participated in a workshop with the Cantatrice Girls Choir and shared their music with Bedford United Church. The Choir has performed at numerous charity functions, as well as special celebrations in Saint John, including the opening of the Imperial Theatre, and as part of NB Opera's production of TOSCA (2004). The have performed on the Queen Mary 2 at Port in Saint John, on the annual Empty Stocking Fund telethon broadcast, and provided music many times at the Saint John Sea Dogs hockey games.
In 2009 the Choir auditioned and was chosen to perform at the Olympic Torch Relay Celebration in Saint John. The song, "There's a Light", was written specially for the Relay, and was performed by selected choirs across Canada. In 2010 the Choir competed in the 2010 New Brunswick Competitive Festival of Music where they were awarded the Dr. Joyce Lumb plaque for "the best performance of a choral composition by a Canadian composer". A special 20th Anniversary concert was held in 2010, with special guests Lauren Estey and Jillian Bonner (former Choir members); the Sea Belles; and Fourth Avenue, as well as a "Reunion Choir" made up of former RKRGC members.
In September 2010 the Choir was chosen to take part in Magic Music Days (Disney Youth Performing Arts Program) at Disney World! They travelled to Orlando, Florida at the end of June 2011, took part in a Disney workshop, and most exciting of all, performed at Disney World on Canada Day, July 1st, 2011!! Fundraising events took place throughout 2010 and 2011 to raise the necessary funds, and with the help of so many supporters we were able to cover the cost of the entire trip for each Choir member. Thank you to everyone who helped!
 |
|
