PRJH choir gearing up for music festival

Prairie River choir members gathered for a group photo April 17. Back row, left-right, are Dusty Gauchier, Mikayla Young, teacher Erin Conroy and Destinie Getz-Paul. Middle row, left-right, are Megan Hansen, Michael Cooper, Christina Kucheruk, Simantha Paddon, Sheila Whang and Kelissa Getz. Front row, left-right, are Danielle Delorme and Kodi-lin Mitchell. Missing are Heaven Belcourt, Amy Kuchuk, Morgan Marquardt, Courtney Parke and Larissa Pilkey.

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

One of the new teachers at Prairie River Junior High School this year has brought new opportunities for students. Science/Music teacher Erin Conroy has started a choir at the school - the first one in many, many years. “They hired me to teach music,” says Conroy, who is busy preparing the choir for the Grande Prairie Music Festival April 28. “When I came in there was a lot of confusion over exactly what they wanted so they left it up to me.” Conroy has taken the ball and ran with it. “I decided this year to start with the choir,” she says. “Next year there will be a band program.” Students were quick to join and be part of the choir. Most of the students are Grade 7-8 students because Grade 9s are already committed to other school programs. “We have about 15 members,” says Conroy, who adds any students can join any time but only the core group will attend the festival. The choir gives students the opportunity to be part of a group that represents the school and helps build school spirit. “A lot of kids don’t go out for sports,” says Conroy. “Now they have something they can do which isn’t part of class and still represent the school.” The choir began practicing in November. Conroy says it’s nice to work with a smaller group so she can give more instruction one-on-one. Conroy is fresh from university and it’s the first time she has taught a choir. In essence, Conroy and her students are both learning as they go along. “I’m having a lot of fun and I think the students are, too!” Conroy and her students have chosen a variety of music to sing to. “Because it’s so new we’re doing the more popular songs,” says Conroy. “We sing ‘Bless the Broken Road’ by Rascal Flatts. ”Most of the kids already know the words so it’s easy. Next year we’ll do a little more classical." The choir will perform three songs at the music festival. They will also sing ‘Dust in the Wind’ by Kansas and a Celtic style song called ‘Mountain Dance’. “They’re excited, really excited but also nervous,” says Conroy referring to the choir’s impending performance at the Grande Prairie Music Festival.

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