Chinook Celebrates 20 Years of Music
On Monday, May 26th music students from across the division came together to celebrate the upcoming 20th anniversary of Chinook School Division with a world premiere performance of Chinook Winds, by Canadian composer Ryan Meeboer.
A mass band/choir of 560 students performed the piece at the Swift Current Comprehensive High School. The event included a group rehearsal, mini-concert, and a message from the composer.
The Music Curriculum Advisory Committee (MCAC) planned the event with the support of senior administration and participating schools. The committee is grateful to the Board for their continuing support of music education in Chinook schools and thanks all of the teachers, administrators, support staff, and bus drivers who made this event possible.
MCAC was formed 20 years ago with the founding of Chinook School Division and provides support to music programs across the division through classroom instrument kits, workshops, and Chinook Music Week, a yearly event which brings clinicians, performers, and music educators to schools in the southwest.
The commission is a first for the division, and we're so excited about the final product! Mr. Meeboer did an amazing job of capturing the spirit of Chinook, and the lyrics by our SCCHS choral director, Brianna Dennehy, eloquently describe the unity, passion, and resilience of the people of the Southwest.
Congratulations to all of the performers and educators involved in this incredible collaboration!
Watch the video below of the performance of Chinook Winds, with permission from the Composer, Ryan Meeboer.