At the beginning of February, R.D. Parker Collegiate students Mark Fortin (Grade 11) and Paige Kirby-McDougall (Grade 9) travelled to Winnipeg to take part in the 36th annual Provincial Honour Choirs program.
On Feb. 2-3, Fortin and Kirby-McDougall rehearsed with around 160 other students from across Manitoba, and eventually got the chance to perform at Knox United Church on Feb. 4.
According to the pair, this year’s senior provincial honour choir concert (featuring students in Grade 9–12) revolved around the theme of “love” with song choices that ranged from religiously themed numbers like “The Hymn of Acxiom” to more modern ditties like “What is Love” by Haddaway.
Of course, both students had to audition to take part this weekend expedition, with RDPC music teacher Katie-Anne Papizzo-Nemeth getting the final say.
Papizzo-Nemeth told Nickel Belt News that Fortin and Kirby-McDougall were more than worthy to become ambassadors for Thompson and RDPC’s music program.
“These two are both very strong musicians. They have excellent singing voices, they have good personalities, they work hard, they’re committed, they’re dedicated to the program and they both show leadership in their ensembles, and those are things I’m looking for when I’m sending someone to represent our community.”
These two students will get another chance to sharpen their choral skills in mid-March, since they will both be attending the upcoming Brandon Jazz Festival along with other members of the RDPC music program.
