Saskatoon Children's Choir Corp.

The Saskatoon Children's Choir Corp. is a Canadian nonprofit organization founded in 1996, dedicated to choral music education and performance with a strong emphasis on artistic excellence and humanitarian initiatives. The choir was established by Phoebe Voigts, who remains its artistic director, and has gained an international reputation for its creative performances and commitment to social causes through music.

History and Mission

Since its inception, the Saskatoon Children's Choir (SCC) has embraced an integrated pedagogical approach, nurturing children to grow as artists and encouraging them to live lives dedicated to worth and service. The choir operates with the conviction that music transcends cultural and geographic boundaries and that young people have a vital role in promoting peace, justice, and global understanding. SCC periodically undertakes humanitarian and social advocacy projects, including international tours, designed to foster tolerance and hope among audiences and participants alike[1][2][4].

Originally sponsored by the Saskatchewan Music Educators Association until 2020, the Saskatoon Children's Choir is now incorporated as an independent nonprofit and charitable organization. Its regular activities include three major concerts annually, often supported by professional instrumentalists, which provide choristers with opportunities to develop professional performance skills. The choir also accepts invitations to perform throughout Saskatchewan and beyond, further extending its outreach and influence[4].

Artistic Achievements and Performances

The choir has a notable history of international appearances and accolades. It has performed in Europe, Asia, the United States, South Africa, Ireland, and across Canada. Highlights include participation in the IFCM-sponsored Songbridge project, receiving the City of Vienna Award at the Summa Cum Laude Vienna Music Festival, and winning the Elmer Iseler Award twice at the International Choral Kathaumixw festival. In 2023, the choir earned top prizes at the International Choral Kathaumixw in British Columbia, including first place in the Children’s Choir and Folk and Cultural Traditions competitions and second place in the Contemporary competition[5][3].

The choir has also been involved in projects with significant social and historical meaning. Between 2000 and 2002, SCC supported the International Campaign to Ban Land Mines with performances, educational outreach, and international advocacy, including hosting victims and Nobel Laureate Jody Williams. In 2005, SCC initiated a tour of the children’s opera Brundibar, originally performed by children in the Terezin Concentration Camp, which included school outreach and an award-winning CBC broadcast[1].

Vision and Educational Philosophy

The Saskatoon Children's Choir aims to:

• Cultivate an appreciation for fine music and encourage intellectual and creative musicianship among singers.
• Promote understanding and performance of Canadian music alongside global choral works.
• Inspire audiences and choir affiliates to support artistic and humanitarian causes.
• Communicate messages of hope and resilience in a world affected by war, poverty, and conflict.
• Encourage young people to actively contribute to building a world founded on tolerance and hope[2].

Through its sustained commitment to high artistic standards and social advocacy, the Saskatoon Children's Choir Corp. exemplifies the power of music education to foster artistic growth and humanitarian consciousness among young singers.

Business Registration Number: 701022675RR0001

[1] https://www.sclfestival.org/the-saskatoon-childrens-choir [2] https://saskatoonchildrenschoir.org [3] https://saskatoonchildrenschoir.org/about/history/ [4] https://www.saskculture.ca/network/members/member-directory?id=100598 [5] https://www.kathaumixw.org/2023_Saskatoon_Childrens.shtml