Welcome to the Fireweed Children’s Chorus
Fireweed Children’s Chorus is open to any singer in Grades 2 – 8. Every child in the Fireweed Children’s Chorus is a valued participant, and we look forward to seeing friendships grow and develop as much as our singing skills. It is our goal to bring each child further along on their musical journey through performance, practice, sight-reading and theory.
More Reasons to sing with us
Fireweed Children’s Chorus often performs at concerts put on by Aurora Chorealis, and sometimes independently. The choir is also invited from time to time to perform at Yellowknife community events.
We strive for high-quality performances, which requires regular attendance at rehearsals.
It is our goal to bring each child further along on their musical journey through performance, practice, sight-reading and theory.
Workshops are held from time to time with local clinicians and/or those brought in by the Choral Society from southern Canada.
For information about how to join Fireweed Children’s Chorus, see below.
For more information, please contact:
fireweedchildrenschorus@gmail.com
Meet the Team
Dana Merrigan
Director
Dana began conducting Fireweed Children’s Chorus in 2012. Growing up in Stephenville, NL she came to appreciate music first while singing with family and then in school and church choirs and small ensembles. It is that love of making music with others that brought her to Acadia University to study music. A graduate of the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education programs she has worked as a music and classroom teacher in Halifax, Ottawa and Yellowknife since 2010.
Elizabeth Brace
Director
Elizabeth began co-directing the Fireweed Children’s Chorus in 2010. In 2012 she took a three year break to spend time with her daughter and returned to Fireweed in 2015. Elizabeth is originally from Hamilton, ON where she started singing at a young age in church choirs and the Hamilton Children’s Choir. Elizabeth completed degrees in Performance Music (voice) and Education at Bishop’s University. Along with Fireweed, she loves sharing her passion for music with her students at Mildred Hall School and the Yellowknife United Church Choir.
Join Us
Becoming a Member
Membership is renewed in September (or January). To join or to renew membership you must:
- Be a child in Grades 2 – 8.
- Submit the Fireweed Registration Form
- Pay Membership Dues
The annual dues are:
- $50 per family membership fee of the Society (regardless of date joined) plus
- $200 per year registration fees, $100 per half-year.
Membership dues are set for each year based on budgetary requirements. The Board makes every attempt to keep the fees reasonable through fundraising initiatives and ticket sales.
Payment Options for Fireweed members:
Payment is to be made by cash, cheque, e-transfer or PayPal.
Cheques should be made out to the ‘Yellowknife Choral Society’.
Financial Assistance
Some financial assistance is available to allow as many children as possible to participate in Fireweed. Please speak with Dana or Elizabeth if this would make Fireweed more accessible to the singers in your family.
Board Representation
The Yellowknife Choral Society Board of directors requires one parent to volunteer as the Choir’s representative on the Board of Directors. This director represents the needs of Fireweed Children’s Chorus and reports on the activities of the choir to the Board at monthly meetings. This position includes participation in decisions concerning the Choral Society as a whole. If you are willing and able to make this commitment, please let Dana and/or the Board (ykchoralsociety@gmail.com ) know that you would like to be nominated to the Board at the AGM.
The Yellowknife Choral Society AGM is to be determined. All parents are encouraged to attend.
YCS Membership is per family. One adult per family whose membership is in good standing is eligible to vote at the AGM.
Rehearsal Schedule 2024-2025 season
Fireweed’s rehearsals are held Thursday evenings at Northern United Place and start Sept 12th.
Fireweed Directors send this message:
We are very much looking forward to singing in person again and working on music together for a December concert.
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Dress Code for Performances
In our concerts, singers wear Fireweed Shirts (provided by the choir) and black pants/skirts (provided by you).