NLIS 4
April 18, 2002
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)


The following statement was issued today by Julie Bettney, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Newfoundland Symphony Youth Choir

I am pleased to rise in this House today to recognize a tremendous accomplishment by some talented residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Last night, the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Choir, conducted by Susan Knight, won the grand prize at the 14th CBC Choral Competition for Amateur Choirs. The award, the Canada Council for the Arts Healey Willan Grand Prize, includes a $5,000 monetary prize. The grand prize also includes a special broadcast of the winning performance by CBC Radio Two and La Chaine culturelle de Radio-Canada.

This is a great honour for the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Choir at this national competition and they should be commended for their talent and hard work.

The choral competition is a national event which awards prizes for the first and second-place winners in 10 different categories. The Newfoundland Symphony Youth Choir competed in the Youth Choirs (Equal Voice) category. As a national semi-finalist in this category, the choir competed against another youth choir from Ontario to win and claim the $3,000 top prize.

I also acknowledge the Quintessential Vocal Ensemble who, under the direction of Susan Quinn, was the second-place winner in the Mixed Choirs category and was awarded a prize of $2,000. The core group of this choir consists of graduate members of the Holy Heart Chamber Choir. This choir has also won numerous awards in its 10-year history including winning first place in the Adult Category of the Canadian Federation of Music Festivals in 2001.

At this competition, the international jury picks one choir from all who have competed to receive the Healey Willan Grand Prize. The award is presented to the choir which gives the most convincing performance in musicianship, technique and program. And we are very proud the jury unanimously selected the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Choir from among other youth choirs as well as adult, chamber and church choirs from all across Canada who competed in the 10 different categories.

This is yet another honour for the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Choir which has received numerous awards and acclamations since it was founded in 1992 including an East Coast Music Association award. They are wonderful ambassadors for this province who have travelled nationally and internationally, singing our songs and sharing a piece of our culture. As Susan Knight herself said, this award is a great affirmation of our place.

I congratulate both choirs and their conductors for this tremendous accomplishment. I wish you all the best in the future.

2002 04 18                          3:35 p.m.


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