Laurier Fagnan, Music Professor at Campus Saint-Jean adjudicator at Choralfest 2016, which took place in the first week of March at the Knox United Church of Calgary
It is impossible for Laurier Fagnan to turn down an invitation especially when it comes to choral singing even if it means working with 62 choirs in 5 days.
That is the reason why the Music Professor at Campus Saint-Jean accepted to be a judge at Choralfest 2016, which took place in the first week of March at the Knox United Church of Calgary.
"This is a huge festival with many different groups, from grade 4 student choirs to seniors' choirs. Most choirs were from school and community groups." Laurier Fagnan mentions.
He was undeniably very happy to connect with choirs from French immersion schools. "This is mainly what prompted me to take part in this festival as an adjudicator for the third time. In participating, I have the opportunity to offer music workshops in French as well as to advertise the music program at Campus Saint-Jean. The music professor at Campus Saint-Jean said. "I was able to work, just to mention a few, with choirs from William Aberhart and Western Canada High School, large immersion schools with three choirs each."
The concept of the festival was that each choir was there for 120 minutes. During the first hour, three choirs were present at the same time in the Knox United Church and sang in turn for 20 minutes.
The choirs could, if they wanted, then receive feedback from the three judges. In the second hour, each choir had a room and the opportunity to work with two of the three adjudicators, who then became adjudicators and clinicians.
As an adjudicator, I was able to identify beautiful and amazing school choirs. Some were just incredible," suggests Laurier Fagnan. "As a clinician, I was able to work on vocal techniques and musicality of each choir," he adds.
He admits that he had a very busy week, but that it was worth it. "I love what I do and I love sharing my passion and joy of choral singing, especially when we have young people who seem truly interested in perfecting their singing techniques and just need a little encouragement" says the Music Professor.
According to Laurier Fagnan, every choir has potential, if you put the effort and discipline. "Yes, some choirs didn't perform as well as others did, but young choir members were very attentive and eager to learn. It is also part of my job to encourage young singers to understand the potential of their individual instrument and how their voices can fully contribute to a choir for well-sung expressive interpretations." Says Fagnan.
As the academic year draws to a close, it is another busy summer that awaits Laurier Fagnan. Indeed, the teacher will be guest conductor at festivals in Ottawa, Domaine Forget (Charlevoix) and Vaison-la-Romaine (France).