DEC. 12, 2021 2 P.M.Bella Concert Hall

WINTERFANTASIA

G R E E T I N G S F R O M T H E D E A N

For over a century, the Mount Royal Conservatory has set an international standard by cultivating well-rounded artists, which begins by training well-rounded students. Our students are curious, creative, and compassionate; they learn to work independently, develop self-discipline and time management skills, take direction and feedback, acquire self-confidence through accomplishments, and attain a lifelong love for the performing arts. Through our commitment to music education, we are working to foster the next generation of artists by nurturing the imaginative spirit within every student.

May your holiday be bright and filled with magical moments shared with family and friends.

Let the music begin.

Brad Mahon, Ph.DDean, Faculty of Continuing EducationMount Royal University

G R E E T I N G F R O M T H E C O N S E R V A T O R Y D I R E C T O R

It is with a great deal of excitement that we once again invite you back to the Bella Concert Hall for our Winter Fantasia Concert. This concert, more than any other in the past, is of particular significance as it marks the first time in almost two years that we have been able to come together as a Conservatory community to perform and celebrate the collective accomplishments of our students and ensembles. Given the struggles of the past year, I am particularly excited by the fact we are able to hold this event and share together in this seasonal celebration. The smiles and exuberant playing of our young people, who have worked so hard already this season to prepare for this particular concert, is a joyous change from the past year, and I hope you revel in the excitement radiating from these young performers.

We are grateful to everyone for your continued support of the Conservatory, especially this past year, and for helping make us an integral part of Calgary’s creative arts community. With your help and support we have once again breathed life into the Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts and filled the halls with energy and sound. The building may have been dormant for a time but with the return of our students we are once again back on track, continuing to foster, develop, and present the next generation of musicians, actors, and performing arts enthusiasts.

I am beyond grateful to invite you to the Bella Concert Hall and wish you a cheerful holiday season. `

Jean-Louis BleauConservatory Interim DirectorMount Royal University

The Bells by Edgar Allan Poe Conservatory Sinfonia, ChoirsSing-along: Jingle BellsJames Pierpont, arr. William Zinn

Mount Royal AriettaWinter Sleigh RideCynthis Gray

Mount Royal AriosoOn a Startlit Night (arr. Jill Gallian) / The Snow Song Mark Growdon

Mount Royal Arietta & AriosoWinter FantasyJill Gallina

The Lights on the Christmas Tree by Florence Page JaquesMount Royal AriosoThe Christmas Tree FeudJohn Jacobson & Cristi Cary Miller

Mount Royal AriettaGonna Catch That SantaAndy Beck & Brian Fisher

Conservatory SinfoniaDivertimento in D major, K. 136 AllegroW. A. Mozart

Conservatory Sinfonia, ChoirsSing-along: Deck the HallArr. William Zinn

Conservatory SinfoniaDivertimento in D major, K. 136 AndanteW. A. Mozart

Conservatory SinfoniaDivertimento in D major, K. 136 PrestoW. A. Mozart

Mount Royal Arietta & AriosoThe Night Before ChristmasRuth Artman

Velvet Shoes by Elinor Wylie

Mount Royal AriettaIn Our TownNancy Oliver

Mount Royal AriosoGlowEric Whitacre

Conservatory Sinfonia, ChoirsSing-along: Joy to the WorldArr. William Zinn

C O N C E R T P R O G R A M

Jingle Bells

Dashing through the snow, In a one horse open sleighOver the fields we go, laughing all the way.Bells on bob tail ring, making spirits bright.What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight.

ChorusOh jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh, Hey!Oh jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh!

A day or two ago, I thought I’d take a rideAnd soon Miss Fannie Bright was seated by my sideThe horse was lean and lank. Misfortune seemed his lotHe got into a drifted bank and then we got upsot!

ChorusOh jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh, Hey!Oh jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh!

S I N G - A L O N G C A R O L S

Deck the Hall

Deck the hall with boughs of holly,Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!‘Tis the season to be jolly,Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!Fill the meadcup, drain the barrel,Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!Troul the ancient Christmas carol,Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!

See the flowing bowl before us,Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!Strike the harp and join the chorus.Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!Follow me in merry measure,Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!While I sing of beauty’s treasure,Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!

Fast away the old year passes,Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!Hail the new, ye lads and lasses!Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!Laughing, quaffing all together,Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!Heedless of the wind and weather,Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!

S I N G - A L O N G C A R O L S

Joy to the World

Joy to the world! The Lord is come.Let earth receive her KingLet every heartPrepare Him roomAnd heaven and nature singAnd heaven and nature singAnd heaven and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Savior reignsLet us their songs employWhile fields and floodsRocks, hills and plainsRepeat the sounding joyRepeat the sounding joyRepeat, repeat, the sounding joy

He rules the world with truth and grace,And makes the nations proveThe glories of His righteousness,And wonders of His love;And wonders of His love;And wonders, wonders of His love.

S I N G - A L O N G C A R O L S

Hilary GuoEthan Liu

Ivan RenStella Ren

Speech Arts and DramaThe Conservatory’s Speech Arts and Drama program is known across Canada for its leadership in curriculum and programs. The program includes private instruction, group classes, ensembles, and an annual non-competitive festival. Speech arts and drama training is a boost for shy children, a haven for children that love literature, and a magical outlet for children that are driven to perform. It gives students the confidence to speak, to communicate, and be heard.

Speech arts and drama is founded on training the speaking voice and performance of literature in forms including storytelling, verse-speaking and acting. Students gain a deep appreciation of literature and the power of language, and develop speaking abilities that carry into every aspect of their lives.

Director - Jennifer OrrJennifer has worked at Calgary’s Mount Royal University Conservatory for more than three decades, serving as both an instructor and program facilitator. She teaches private and group lessons in creative drama, speech arts, public speaking, storytelling, and speech arts theory, working with students of all ages. Jennifer plays an active leadership role in the discipline of speech and drama, contributing across Canada as a teacher, administrator, adjudicator, examiner, workshop clinician, and curriculum developer.

Jennifer has a long-standing affiliation with the Royal Conservatory of Music, serving as Speech and Drama specialist and member of the College of Examiners, examining both practical and theoretical subjects. She was a member of the team that produced both the 2000 and the 2011 editions of the RCM Examinations Speech Arts and Drama syllabus.

Jennifer’s former students consistently credit their speech training as “the thing that made the biggest difference” in their road to success, and Jennifer is proud that many of her students are now speech teachers. She is passionate about the art of communication and delights in sharing poetry and stories with students, empowering them to explore their creativity and speak with power.

Speech Arts Performers

E N S E M B L E A N D D I R E C T O R B I O G R A P H I E S

E N S E M B L E A N D D I R E C T O R B I O G R A P H I E S

Mount Royal AriettaOne of Mount Royal Conservatory’s youngest choral groups, Arietta provides an opportunity for young singers to begin a life-long journey in music. Using choral repertoire, vocal and musical literacy is carefully developed, while allowing our singers to build social and emotional connections as they pursue musical excellence with new friends. Arietta regularly shares their gift of music with the Calgary community, and performs with the Mount Royal Conservatory’s family of choirs on Calgary’s finest stages.

Director Arietta/Arioso – Elizabeth PaynterElizabeth Paynter has been a music specialist with the Calgary Board of Education for over 30 years, and spent the 2018/19 school year teaching music in London, UK. From early in her career, Elizabeth began directing choirs in the Calgary choral community. Currently, she directs Arietta and Arioso Children’s Choirs at Mount Royal University, EnChor Chamber Choir and she is the director of music at Scarboro United Church. Elizabeth is passionate about making music accessible to all, and her extensive teaching experience allows her to guide and motivate musicians of all ages to the highest level of achievement, with much joy and laughter along the way.

Accompanist Arietta/Arioso – Melissa KoMelissa is pleased to be joining the choirs at Mount Royal Conservatory for another year of musical magic! Her music career has seen her play a wide range of styles from backup keyboards for a touring Petula Clark to playing rehearsals for a stage version of the National Geographic Symphony tour to split keyboard duties with local Broadway productions to accompanying choirs from children’s to professional. Melissa is pleased to have just expanded her horizons by accepting the role of Interim Artistic Director with the much loved One Voice Chorus of Calgary.

Arietta – List of Members

Anny XuBianca DunnCynthia YinElla Zagas-Grant Emery PelzerEmily FrewEmme Comeau

Hanna ChanIsabella KuanJuliet LeslieKai D’Souza-PelsheaLily-Rose MayorgaLucas LuoMatilda Jones

Molly MalcomPaige BerestianskyRebecca MahRhys MacQuarrieRobyn CurleyTabatha EspinosaZoe Ioffe

Mount Royal AriosoThe choral programs at Mount Royal University allow singers to develop their musicianship from early childhood into adulthood. Arioso provides singers in grades 5 and older the opportunity to pursue and experience the challenge, joy and reward of singing the highest calibre of choral music. Exceptional musicianship instruction, varied performance opportunities, and choir tours build community, social growth, and a passion for excellence.

Arioso singers have shared stages with choirs from across Canada and around the world, including the Vienna Boys’ Choir at the World Peace Festival in Vienna, and many international singers while attending the Wirth Music Academy in Austria.

Arioso – List of Members

Aubrey LiBronwyn MacQuarrieJoel CookKarma TaylorKaterina Hissen

Mulan SongOlivia WangRebecca ChavezRuby Planidin

E N S E M B L E B I O S

Conservatory SinfoniaThe Conservatory Sinfonia is for advanced string and wind players ages 12 to 18. This orchestra performs music from professional repertoire, and a high degree of commitment is expected. In addition to weekly rehearsals (Fridays, 4:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.), players participate in an annual workshop with a guest conductor, the Conservatory’s annual Winter Fantasia concert, and other performance opportunities as they may arise during the term. As the former Conservatory Strings, they produced two CDs, and have been recorded by the CBC.

Director – Chris SandvossChris Sandvoss studied violin with his mother, an early childhood specialist, and viola with the eminent teachers Harold Gomez, John Thompson, and John Lowry. He went on to work with some of the world’s legendary pedagogues, including Gerald Stanick, Hatto Beyerle, Karen Tuttle, Martha Strongin-Katz, and Donald McInnes. Mr. Sandvoss performed and taught at festivals in Europe and North America, and appeared as an orchestra musician, conductor, soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician on stage, radio, TV, and CD. He was the founding violist of the internationally renowned Lands End Ensemble, the 13th St. Trio, and the UCalgary Quartet. Mr. Sandvoss has taught at The University of Calgary and the Mount Royal University Conservatory, where he currently teaches Violin, Viola, Chamber Music, facilitates the Viola Academy/AP Program and conducts the Conservatory Sinfonia.

Conservatory Sinfonia – List of Members

VIOLIN 1Aedan Lowry- ConcertmasterJadyn LiAnna ZhuMegan WangJessica LiEmily JangGenie HanAngela Qin

VIOLIN 2Finn Brosseau - PrincipalSophie McKinnonSimon TanLincoln SmithLucy ChoiAdinah LeeSelina ZhengGloria LaySophie Ryskine

VIOLAHannele Agbunag Sam LoeBo Van Loon

CELLOTeagan KrahnMatias MakaraEva D’AmbrosioCurtis Fok

E N S E M B L E A N D D I R E C T O R B I O G R A P H I E S

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FOREVERYSTAGE

UPCOMING CONCERTS

DEC. 18 Sounds of the Season

DEC. 22 Heebee Jeebees Christmas Booster

FEB. 5 Blackie and the Rodeo Kings

APRIL 8 Sara Harmer

APRIL 11 Harry Manx

APRIL 26 Hawksley Workman

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