Surrey Choral Arts Project Society - Profile

from Canada

How did you travel to Llangollen?

Flying about 4550 miles; flying (london airport)

How many members are in your group?

40 +

What is the age range of your group?

5-18, 18 - 25, 40 -

When and why was your group formed?

The Surrey Children’s Choir was formed in 1992 to provide comprehensive musical training in the art and technique of choral singing to the youth of Surrey, B.C. The choirs include a Junior Training Choir, an Intermediate Training Choir, the Surrey Children’s Choir, the Surrey Youth Chamber Choir (formed in 2002), the Surrey Youth Chorus and the Surrey Community Chorus (adult choir).

How often and do you rehearse?

Once a week; We rent a Multipurpose Room in Ocean Cliff Elementary School in Surrey, B.C.

How many times does your group perform every year?

11 - 19

Have you performed in any other festivals and competitions in your own country?

Surrey Youth Chamber Choir • Vancouver Kiwanis Festival 2009 - First Place * British Columbia Performing Arts Provincial Festival 2009 - First Place (Will now go on to the Nationals in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in August '09) • International Choral Kathaumixw, Powell River, B.C. in 2004 and 2008....placing 1st in Equal Voices (2008) and 2nd in Chamber Choir (2008) • CBC Radio National Competition for Amateur Choirs in 2006 and 2008, placing 2nd both times in Female Voices. • Musicfest Canada (2005) - Gold standing Surrey Youth Children’s Choir & Surrey Youth Chorus • Vancouver Kiwanis Festival 2005-2009 - Gold standings • Fraser Valley Kiwanis Festival 2005-2009 - Gold standings

Have you performed in any other festivals and competitions in countries other than your own?

Pacific International Children’s Choir Festival 2000 in Eugene, Oregon, U.S.A.

What is the name of your conductor/leader?

Stephen Horning

Give us a short biography of your conductor/leader

Stephen Horning, B. Mus., Ed. Dip. Graduated from the University of Victoria in 1978 majoring in composition, piano, and choral studies, and subsequently has taken master classes in choral conducting with Eric Erickson, Bruce Pullen, John Tuttle, Doreen Rao, Jean Ashworth Bartle and Sir David Willcocks. Founder and director of the award-winning and immensely poplular 120 voice Surrey Children’s Choir family of choirs since 1992, Mr. Horning taught twelve years in the Campbell River School District where he founded the Campbell River Children’s Choir and conducted the North Island Choral Society. Since moving to the lower mainland in 1989 to teach in the Surrey School District, Stephen has been the conductor of the Douglas College Children’s Choir, has directed the Surrey District Honour Children’s Choir and is in demand as a clinician and adjudicator. In 1991, he co-founded “Choralstage,” a two-week summer choral camp for children. Stephen has represented Greater Vancouver Schools on the board of the B.C. Choral Federation and is a member of the President’s Advisory Council of the BCCF. Stephen is a co-recipient of the 1999 Willan Award for Outstanding Service to the British Columbia Choral Federation. On September 11, 2008, Stephen received a Surrey Civic Treasure Award for his contribution to the enhancement of Surrey as the Cultural Capital of Canada 2008.

What do you hope to achieve at Llangollen?

The opportunity to hear world-class choirs... to share the universal language of song... and to establish friendships with choristers from around the world!

What are the group's future plans and ambitions?

Our desire is to continue to build upon the successes we’ve experienced, to set new and exciting goals for continued travelling and competing, and to share our love of singing wherever we go...and with whomever will listen.

What is your website's address?

http://www.surreychildrenschoir.ca