We are delighted to announce that the incredibly talented, Jo-Anne Killips, has accepted the role as our front-line Director! Please join us in welcoming this wonderful woman to the role of Music Director for Rhythm of the Rockies!
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Well, okay, Joey wasn't physically in our house but she was educating us this evening over Zoom! She was in each of our homes tonight! How enjoyable! She has visited us as our "keynote" coach a number of times over the years and tonight we are doing a music study on the songs Moondance (Van Morrison) and As Long as I'm Singing (Bobby Darin). In our chorus, we love studying the technical details, the style, the nuances of a cappella songs so our hearts and minds are wonderfully full tonight. Thank you Joey!
Did you know that Rhythm of the Rockies offers bursaries to students attending music programs at the University of Calgary?
Each year since 2007, ROTR has awarded a University of Calgary music student a scholarship worth hundreds of dollars. Applications for this bursary are accepted annually. If you know someone who is in 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of a music program, the application due date is August 1st each year. This bursary is not limited to women; gender is not a qualifier for this bursary. If you would like information on this bursary, please check this out: https://www.ucalgary.ca/registrar/awards/rhythm-rockies-chorus-bursary
If there is ever a time to let out a "squeee", this is it! We are so thrilled that the fabulous Deke Sharon joined Rhythm of the Rockies and guests this evening. For those of you who don't yet know Deke, he is most famous as the Musical Director for the popular movie series, Pitch Perfect, and producer of the TV show competition, The Sing Off . This singer, arranger, composer, producer, writer, and teacher has been referred to as "the father of contemporary a cappella music".
We are profoundly heartbroken to share the news that our beautiful Peggy Hart passed away January 19, 2021 after a brief but painful illness.
Peggy joined Rhythm of the Rockies in 2014 and will remain a treasured member in spirit. Peggy was intelligent, witty, sophisticated, grounded and kind. She was a dedicated member and sang bass with our chorus. She was a bass section assistant and was our "gratitude" spokesperson for our visiting regional and international vocal coaches. During her years with us, she was always there to help. She organized some of our social functions and even had her loving husband cook us a pork roast for our BBQ! She just had to give him that smile and he would do anything.
Congratulations, Mary Hager – Sing Canada Harmony Scholarship Recipient!
In March 2018, Mary Hager, former director of Rhythm of the Rockies, was nominated for the Paul Tamblyn Award offered through Sing Canada Harmony. Thank you to two of our members - Kathy Helfrick and Eileen De Freitas - who submitted the application!
Following the application, some time went by and we assumed someone else had won the award. But, late last fall we found out that Mary was the winner for 2019! Congratulations, Mary!
No surprise here!
Our planned retirement celebration for Mary Hager has been postponed to a later date (tbd).
Stay tuned for updates!
We had an amazing weekend at the Entheos' Retreat getting our songs ready for the Region 26 Denim and Diamonds themed competition to be held in Calgary in May.
What could be better than coaching by the scintillating Corinna Garriock, intensely focused members and music leaders, a hysterical evening party and homecooked meals by the Entheos staff?
Postponed! No surprise here. Stay tuned for updates.
Join Rhythm of the Rockies in celebrating
Mary Hager's retirement on
Saturday, May 23, 2020
at the Silver Springs Golf and Country Club in Calgary.
More details about the event and ticket purchase will be coming soon.
It will be a wonderful celebration of a wonderful woman!
