The Moose Jaw Band and Choral Festival is honoured to be able to remember music educators who have passed, but not before leaving a legacy of making a difference in music education in the province.
Joan was born on August 12th, 1942, in Fortuna, CA to Ruth and Johannes Larsen and lived out her childhood and young life in Ferndale, CA. An avid musician and vocalist, she was heavily involved in music her entire life. At Ferndale Union High School, she was Drum Major for the Marching Band, Pep band Leader, Honour Band member and part of the Chorus group.
She and her husband Frank moved to Scandia, Alberta, Canada in 1968 and then to Kindersley, Saskatchewan in 1972, where Joan became an integral part of the Christian and Musical community. She was a Choir Director for the church, which led to Director of the Community Choir and eventually she was the President of the Saskatchewan Choral Federation, all positions that she took a great deal of pride in.
Her contribution to music education, as a result of her involvement with the Saskatchewan Choral Federation was invaluable and is appreciated.
Joan Netter (Memorial Venue: Zion United Church)
Born into a family of music enthusiasts, Angela began piano in elementary school and voice and French horn in junior high school. Her active musical life continued through high school singing in the Moberly High School Choir and playing in the Concert Band and the Marching Band. Angela pursued post-secondary musical studies and earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education (1988) at Baker University, Baldwin City, Kansas, and a Master of Music in Music Education (1994) at the University of Missouri in Columbia. Angela was certified to teach in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Saskatchewan. Angela continued to learn and to improve as a teacher and was certified in Kodaly I and Orff I levels. She was a stalwart in professional organizations in the USA and in Canada making a difference in educational learning. Angela always strove to provide creative opportunities for her students and orchestrated innovative and collaborative performances and displays at all the schools in which she taught. She was determined that every child in her class experience joy in music making. She was a passionate advocate for the child-centered, diverse, and multi-cultural process as developed by German composer and music educator Carl Orff (1895-1982). Her ongoing energy and dedication to her students and colleagues, particularly the Saskatchewan Orff Chapter, have been an inspiration and treasured gift. Angela began her teaching career in Atlanta, Missouri (band, choral, and general music) and then relocated to Lawton, Oklahoma to become a powerhouse at Hugh Bish Elementary. In 2000 she was awarded “Champion for Children” from the Lawton Public Schools. For five years, Angela also taught music appreciation and popular music night classes at Cameron University in Lawton. She continued her teaching career in Canada with the Saskatoon Public Schools at Marion M. Graham Collegiate (in 2003) and later at several elementary schools: Caroline Robins, Alvin Buckwold, Holliston, Howard Coad, and most recently at Ernest Lindner. She was an instructor for the University of Saskatchewan Community Music Education Program and Extension Services for Seniors. Over a span of twenty years, she also taught elementary music education classroom instruments courses in the Department of Music at the University of Saskatchewan.
Angela Gillis (Memorial Venue: Peacock Centennial Auditorium)
Although not a music educator, Sharon Penner spent numerous years volunteering with a number of community organizations in addition to serving as Executive Director of the National Music Festival of Canada for 10 years.
The Moose Jaw Music Festival and the Moose Jaw Band and Choral Festival were especially close to her heart. For decades Sharon was the friendly voice on the end of the phone helping to organize the schedule, night shows, and clinicians. All this was done prior to, and leading up to, the IT changeover to emails and websites. Even after officially stepping back from the festival committee, she remained a valuable resource for years as committee members gradually became comfortable in their new positions.
Sharon was recognized for her many years of community service in 2010 when she was chosen as Moose Jaw’s Citizen of the Year.
Sharon Penner (Memorial Venue: Mae Wilson Theater)
Colin Grunert was a band director in Saskatchewan for 29 years. Graduating from Minot State University in 1980, he subsequently took a position in Long Lake School Division for three years, then moved to Estevan. Through the years, he taught band from grade 6-12 until his death in 2009. His bands included concert band, jazz band, marching band, drum line, pep bands at sporting events, and pit bands for musical productions. The ensembles he conducted received recognition locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally. Colin personally received awards including the first recipient of Musicfest Canada’s Keith Mann Award, Saskatchewan Band Association’s Distinguished Band Director, and the Paul Harris Fellow by the Estevan Rotary Club for Community Service.
Colin had a strong commitment to the Community of Estevan and was particularly involved in his support of the United Way, Estevan Rotary Club, Estevan Exhibition Association, and Estevan Bruins Hockey Club.
One of his pet projects was Saskatchewan Band Association’s Kenosee Summer Band Camp, the only residential summer band camp in Saskatchewan.
Colin’s hobbies outside of band and community included construction work and watching his children in their various activities. He was especially proud of his family, his wife, Stacy and children, Patrick(Laura), Sheena(Nathan), Alyssa(Evan) and Matthew(Brooke).
The family is delighted that the Moose Jaw Band and Choral Festival is honouring him in this way.
LEGACY MEMORIALS
Frank Connell was born in Schotts, Scotland and began his musical training from his father, a cornet virtuoso. He qualified for his Bandmastership in 1946 from Kneller Hall which led to appointments with several British military bands prior to moving to Moose Jaw in 1958 to become director of the Moose Jaw Lion’s Junior Bands.
Frank’s enthusiastic guidance, untiring efforts, and inspiration culminated in leading the Lion’s A Band on trips overseas in 1964 and 1970, when they were guest band at the Edinburgh Royal Highland Show and received a gold medal at the International Festival of Music in Kerkrade, Holland. In 1973 Mr Connell moved to Red Deer, AB to become director of bands.
Mr Connell founded the Saskatchewan Music Camps which later became known as the Saskatchewan School of the Arts. 1965 & 66 witnessed the real beginning of the school when the band programme was joined by orchestra, drama, writing, and painting. Frank was the director of the school until 1972. Throughout all of this, he was in demand as a clinician, served as a member on the Saskatchewan Arts Board, was President of the Canadian Bandmasters Association, was awarded the Order of Canada, and voted citizen of the year in both Moose Jaw and Red Deer.
Mr Connell passed away on January 19, 1979. His influence as a music educator has had a huge ripple effect, with many of his students becoming music educators, professional performers, and composers but, most importantly lovers of music.
Jacquie Ackerman grew up on a farm near Chamberlain, SK, and attended Lindale and Peacock schools in Moose Jaw, graduating from the University of Saskatchewan with a degree in music education. She went on to complete a Master’s Degree in Music from Northwestern University in Louisiana, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the U of S.
Jacquie taught at Holy Cross High School in Saskatoon for 13 years before becoming an administrator and subsequently working in several Greater Saskatoon schools, most recently as Assistant Principal at Bethlehem Catholic High School. She was passionate about helping students reach their potential, and was recognized for her excellence by receiving the 2014 YWCA’s Woman of Distinction Award for Education.
In addition to her work in education, Jacquie was well known for her involvement in the arts community. In her schools, and with gateway Players and Saskatoon Summer Players, she was choral coach, musical director, and actress. She served as a board member for the Saskatchewan Choral Federation, Saskatchewan Music Educators’ Association, the Saskatoon Symphony, and also served as chair of the Diocese of Saskatoon’s Bishop’s Gala. Jacquie was an amazing soprano, and was a member of the Greystone Singers, Saskatoon Chamber Singers, and was actively involved in music ministry in her schools and parish.
Beverley Ann Shore was born on April 1, 1960 in Regina, Saskatchewan. She received her elementary, high school and university education in Regina, graduating in 1985 with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree. She taught in Watrous, Deloraine, Manitoba and Yorkton. Beverley’s devotion to her students was second to none.
Beverley was very active in the Saskatchewan Band Community. She was an SBA Board Member and worked at several SBA Band Camps for over 20 years, always enjoying the opportunity to work with the students and staff. Beverley was also a valuable contributor to the local music festival scene and at the time of her death was President of the Yorkton Music Festival.
Greg grew up on the family farm in Manitoba, graduated from the University of Brandon, and with wife Marcia, raised 3 children while achieving outstanding success with his School Band programs in Esterhazy and Swift Current. In addition to his School Band programs, Greg was a founding member of the Saskatchewan Band Association. He served on the SBA Board of Directors, was a clinician and conductor at SBA Band Camps for over 25 years and provided ongoing mentorship to new band directors.
Greg also conducted the Swift Current Oratorio Choir and directed the Swift Current Jazz Orchestra, an ensemble he established. In 2011-2012, Greg became the Interim Director of Bands at the University of Regina. Greg loved to share his leadership and conducting skills with University Interns, and Honour Band participants in Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan and even PEI. Over the years he was also a valued adjudicator, guest conductor and clinician at numerous Band Festivals across Canada. Greg lived his passion and pursuit of excellence as a Band Director, encouraging and inspiring Band students of all ages, to play and be their best at all times.
Colin Grunert (Memorial Venue: St Aidan’s Church)