Surrey Youth ‘Chamber Choir’ ~ Canada

The award-winning Surrey Youth ‘Chamber Choir’was founded in September 2002 by director, Stephen Horning as a special project of the Surrey Choral Arts Project Society, an ‘umbrella’ to the Surrey Children’s Choir (founded in 1992).   The Surrey Youth ‘Chamber Choir’ is a consistent gold medal winner at Greater Vancouver festivals. Gerald Van Wyck, Vancouver Community College, adjudicator: “you are one of the best children’s choirs in Canada".  These exuberant young voices are heard often at civic and community events and have appeared live on CBC Radio.

The ‘Chamber Choir’ received Gold Standing at Musicfest Canada in 2005.  Adjudicator Malcolm Edwards of the University of Alberta had this to say about the choir:  “Your choir resides at the highest level, level five, which is artistry.  This is the level trod by the musical saints and I thank you for being the choir to end my time here at Musicfest.”  In May, 2006 and again in 2008 they won 2nd Prize in the CBC National Radio Competition for Amateur Choirs.  In 2008 the “Chamber Choir” attended the International Choral
Kathaumixw in Powell River, British Columbia and received first prize (Equal Voices) and second prize (Chamber Choir).  This past summer the choir competed in the International Musical Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales in July and placed 4th at this world competition.  In August the Surrey Youth ‘Chamber Choir’ placed 1st in the National Music Festival held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Stephen Horning, B. Mus., Ed. Dip. graduated from the University of Victoria in 1978 majoring in composition, piano, and choral studies and subsequently has taken master classes in choral conducting with Eric Erickson, Elmer Eisler, Bruce Pullen, John Tuttle, Doreen Rao, Jean Ashworth Bartle and Sir David Willcocks.  Founder and director of the award winning 120 voice Surrey Children’s Choir family of choirs since 1992, Mr. Horning taught twelve years in the Campbell River School District where he founded the Campbell River Children’s Choir and conducted the North Island Choral Society.  Since moving to the lower mainland in 1989 to teach in the Surrey School District, Stephen has been appointed conductor of the Douglas College Children’s Choir, has directed the Surrey District Honour Children’s Choir (1991-92, 1997-98 and 2002-03) and is in demand as a clinician and adjudicator.  In 1991 he co-founded “Choralstage,” a two-week summer choral camp for children.  Stephen has represented Greater Vancouver Schools on the board of the BC Choral Federation and is a member of the President’s Advisory Council of the BCCF.

Stephen was a co-recipient of the 1999 Willan Award for Outstanding Service to the British Columbia Choral Federation.  On September 11, 2008, Stephen received a Surrey Civic Treasure Award for his contribution to the enhancement of Surrey as the Cultural Capital of Canada 2008.