Surrey Schools Elementary Choral Festival gives voice to Grade 1-7 singers

Grade 2-3 students from Kennedy Trail Elementary were among the performers at this year's Elementary Choral Festival. (Photo by Jacob Zinn)

Students from more than 20 Surrey and White Rock elementary schools are preparing their singing voices for this year’s Elementary Choral Festival on March 6-9, providing them a long-awaited opportunity to take the Bell Performing Arts Centre stage.

Similar to the latest jazz festival, this year is the first time in three years that students will perform without pandemic restrictions, allowing for more schools to participate and families to attend in the audience. The festival features performances from students at A.H.P. Matthew, A.J. MacLellan, Bonaccord, Berkshire Park, David Brankin, Don Christian, Douglas, Forsyth Road, École Frost Road, Holly, Katzie, École K.B. Woodward, Kennedy Trail, Maddaugh, M.B. Sanford, Newton, Old Yale Road, École Peace Arch, École Riverdale, École Simon Cunningham, Sullivan, T.E. Scott, White Rock and École Woodward Hill elementary schools.

“People are starting to sing and it’s starting to feel like it’s okay again, and that is a really great feeling,” said arts education helping teacher Tricia Liversidge. “We have some fantastic teachers who are getting kids back into choir after this two or three-year hiatus, and it shows in the number of registrations.”

While most of the festival’s ensembles showcase intermediate grades, a few schools are putting a spotlight on the talents of our Grade 1 to 3 students.

“I love that we have teachers who are supporting singing with our primaries,” said Liversidge. “Singing is such a natural thing – if you think of the way we do things in the classroom and at home, there’s a lot of song involved, even if it’s just a silly cleanup song. That is going to translate to more of our students joining choir when it becomes optional or when they transition to secondary school.

“Not only are they singing and enjoying the friendships that come out of it, but they can go on to secondary and seek out those choral programs for the same enjoyment.”

The performances will be adjudicated by fellow helping teacher Sandra Meister and Inspirito Vocal Ensemble artistic director Sarona Mynhardt.

Liversidge said she’s looking forward to seeing parents, friends and family in the audience as the festival offers full capacity at the Bell Performing Arts Centre.

“To see their family in the audience is a really great feeling for the kids who are onstage,” she said. “Arts are meant to be shared, and we’re now back to the feeling of inclusion and the excitement of hearing and seeing and experiencing these events firsthand again.”

The festival runs from Monday, March 6 through Thursday, March 9, with performances from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every day.