Students from J.R. Walkof School were on the provincial stage last week.
The Winkler elementary school’s Gr. 2/3 volunteer choir headed into Winnipeg May 13 to perform at the Manitoba Legislative Building as part of the Music Month Concert Series.
“This is a series the Manitoba Music Educators Association puts on,” explains music teacher Caleb Reimer, who notes it was an annual event pre-pandemic that returned for the first time this year.
School music programs from across the province apply for the opportunity to perform at the Leg to help mark May as Music Month, and J.R. Walkof was fortunate enough to be selected.
“It was a fantastic day,” Reimer said, sharing the group sang three songs from the steps of the Grand Staircase: “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel,” “Peace Be With You,” and “Whisper.”
The kids worked hard on their performance, and they were thrilled for the big day to finally arrive.
“It was a lot of fun. We’d worked on it for quite a while,” said Reimer. “Some of the pieces we’d already sung at other places, but we also added a piece or two for this particular performance.
“It’s all about getting out of our community, being able to share our gifts with others.”
They were joined that day by a handful of other choirs and bands.
“It’s always great to hear other ensembles and see what’s going on in other places,” Reimer said. “These groups were from a variety of different places … so it lets our kids see there’s great music happening all across the province.
“And to be able to share it with our legislators—because they’re walking through, I saw different leaders and MLAs walk by—to share with them how important music is to us and how it should be to our province as well.”
Reimer noted the trip was made possible thanks to a grant from the MMEA, which covered busing costs.
The kids also got the opportunity to chat briefly with Morden-Winkler MLA Carrie Hiebert and tour the Legislative grounds before heading back home.
