A 70-voice Grade 2/3 volunteer choir from J.R. Walkof School had the opportunity this spring to perform at the Manitoba Legislative Building as part of the Music Month Concert Series, an annual event highlighting school music programs from across the province. On May 13th, the students travelled to Winnipeg, stepping into a setting far removed from their school gym or music room. Performing on the Grand Staircase inside the Legislative Building, the choir sang three pieces: “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel,” “Peace Be With You,” and “Whisper.” For many of the young singers, the performance was quite the experience. “I had a lot of feelings. At the start I was pretty excited until I got there; I got a bit nervous since there were a bunch of people,” said Lewis Friesen, Grade 3. Olivia Johnson described a similar blend of emotions, noting both confidence and stage nerves as part of the experience. “I was feeling excited, and I had courage, but I was a little bit nervous… I do a lot of performing because I play piano and dance, and this is another thing I do,” she said. Brooklyn Keen shared, “I was pretty excited, and I was confident. I felt good that I was doing something great.” Riley Driedger shared that they needed to tap into that courage, saying, “I was nervous the whole time.” Related stories: NPC raises more than $10,000 for CancerCare Manitoba through concert Christian committee takes on first Corn & Apple Friday, fundraising for lineup A stage in provincial history Performing in the Legislative Building offered students a chance to experience music in a new environment, complete with its distinctive architecture and acoustics. Multiple school choirs from across Manitoba were brought together as part of the Music Month celebration. Beyond the performance itself, students also had the opportunity to listen to other ensembles from different communities. The trip also connected to a wider year of performances, including singing “O Canada” for the Winkler Flyers, participating in the Winkler Festival of the Arts, collaborating with NPC choirs, and performing at school assemblies and concerts. The choir’s participation in Winnipeg was supported by a grant from the Manitoba Music Educators’ Association, which covered transportation costs and helped make the trip possible. — photo collected with MMEA