25 years of singing

Total Praise; Pacific Mennonite Children’s Choir Nancy Dyck, Founder/Director; accompanists: Betty Suderman and Carmen Fast. 2002.

“ ‘Total Praise’ celebrates Pacific Mennonite Children’s Choir’s 25th year of honouring God through song.” My initial two thoughts when first listening to “Total Praise” were “Wow” and “Profoundly beautiful”. This recording clearly reflects years of musical training and preparation of the choir, the vocal soloists and instrumentalists. What a celebration to bring all the participants together to unify their individual diversity and gifts into one solid, common purpose – that of total praise.

The album bears the title of the opening song. This song provides an energetic beginning to the esthetic experience through 15 selections. The album blends contemporary worship, classical, spiritual and folk choral styles. I would recommend that each household add this work to their listening collection.

The final selection “We Rise Again” brings this esthetic experience to a close with a reminder that the world, regardless of nation, faith, background or race, shares one common treasure – that of children whose voices touch our souls.

Marianne Enns has taught music in Winnipeg schools and is currently employed as the children’s worship leader at Eastview Community Church. She also wrote music for and produced a Christmas CD with children’s voices in 2001, “The Call of Christmas” in partnership with FLN, Winnipeg.