Chelsea Youth Choir: Remembrance Day

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Remembrance Day

We participated in the Remembrance Day Ceremony at Chelsea Pioneer Cemetery again this year.

I had the pleasure of working with some of the grade 5/6 students from Chelsea Elementary School so that we could join together with them to sing the song in the ceremony. Which song?! A very special song called We Are the Lucky Ones, written by Deborah Thomson our former accompanist and a very active musician in our area.

The Gatineau Valley Historical Society has put together a beautiful video from the day: http://www.gvhs.ca/news/remembrance.html.

Testimonials

"Chelsea Youth Choir isn't just a place for local kids to get together and sing, it's community in action. Stephanie creates this environment of connection, mutual support, passion, and love that just emanates from everyone involved. The children get amazing opportunities to foster and deepen their love of singing, music, and performance. They sing in multiple languages, and their repertoire includes songs that are composed entirely without words!

More than just music, the choir builds community: our family connects with kids and parents from other schools / who home school. The outdoor rehearsals give us a chance to connect with other parents and families. The choir performances at events throughout the year kid our kids the chance to connect with the broader community. The zoom performances connect extended families who had less opportunities to connect because of the pandemic.

We are a music loving family, but only our kids have a real ear for it. Our eldest also thrives to be in a spotlight, in a way that her introverted parents can't relate to. Stephanie has this amazing ability to make the choir such a community -- there is no one lead singer or announcer -- but there is plenty of opportunity for those extroverted performers among them to feel that they have their moment in the limelight! I've heard multiple other parents talk with amazement about how their normally shy kids have just burst out of their shells through CYC 'What, my kid asked for a solo?!' Stephanie is truly gifted at making the choir work for each and every member, despite their differing needs, and makes these kids feel loved, connected, seen and heard.

CYC is an AMAZING space that- despite being a Chelsea institution for many years, remains unknown to many. If your kid is interested in music, singing and community don't miss the opportunity to join!"
-Emily, CYC parent

"The words that spring to mind to describe sessions of the Chelsea Youth Choir are joyfulness and fun - both inspired by choir maestra Stephanie Sewell. Besides her obvious skill, the qualities she brings to sessions are openness, vivacity, inclusiveness and diverse musical knowledge. Brava!"

-Terry O'Grady, choir parent

"Chelsea Youth Choir and Stephanie have been so great for our kids. She meets the kids where they are and allows and encourages them to blossom at their pace. It is clear she loves music and cares so much for the kids. CYC is a truly lovely and safe space; we have seen our kids grow so much and are very grateful for it!"

-Choir Parent

"This is an amazing group and has been the most wonderful experience for my kids! Stephanie takes the time to meet the kids where they are and go at their own pace to be comfortable. It is so clear that LOVE of signing is the focus! Love this choir!"
-Choir parent

"I love all the beautiful songs that end up floating around!"
-Choir Parent, Kate Ballantyne

"This is a truly wonderful choir and a wonderful space! I never thought I’d see my kids with BIG anxiety go to a choir and have someone so loving and gentle guide them and allow them to blossom at their own rate. And then have my kids grow in confidence and feel so cared for that they volunteer to sing solo and to lead a group of strangers in song. Amazing experience."

"This is an amazing group and has been the most wonderful experience for my kids! Stephanie takes the time to meet the kids where they are and go at their own pace to be comfortable. It is so clear that LOVE of singing is the focus! Love this choir!"

-Choir parent, Candace

"You offer something very special (through the choir). I want you to know that singing with the choir gives my daughter a strong sense of belonging and a means for her to feel like she is shining."
...CYC parent

"CYC is an AMAZING space that - despite being a Chelsea institution for many years, remains unknown to many. If your kid is interested in music, singing and community don't miss the opportunity to join."
- Choir parent, Emily

"You offer something very special (through the choir). I want you to know that singing with the choir gives my daughter a strong sense of belonging and a means for her to feel like she is shining."

...CYC parent

"You are the best choir director ever."
-Senior choir singers

"Thank you for all your hard work, Stephanie! Several people commented on your magnificent patience, and I wholeheartedly agree. You have a really wonderful way with the kids, and they are lucky to have you."

"Wonderful concert gathering! Lots of feeling and joy and song in the room!"

"Did I ever tell you that I was brought to tears the first time I attended a CYC concert in May 2014? It was just so extremely moving how you conveyed a sense of community, how the kids were so completely involved, with each one (or almost each one, anyway) taking a turn to announce a song. I’d never before seen such an inclusive, happy, feel-good event and I’m thrilled that my daughter is getting to benefit from that environment. Keep up the excellent work!"

"CONGRATULATIONS!!! Wow, we were both so moved, thrilled and impressed by today's experience. You did such a great job with the kids, and we're so blessed to be part of CYC."

"Thank you for the beautiful message to the children- they will be really excited to read that tomorrow and a huge thank you to you for another wonderful choir experience for us all! I didn't see you after the concert but wanted to congratulate you on the fabulous performance- the best Mother's Day gift for sure. You truly have the magic touch and infinite patience with the kids."

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Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Remembrance Day