Each year when the Grammy Awards show is on, they present an award to a music educator who has done an amazing job in his or her school, teaching music and getting students excited about learning how to play.
Each year I’ve seen the film clips about what these music educators do, and I have to say, if Colleen Weimer were American, she would be there getting this award.
But alas, she’s Canadian, thus the American-based Recording Academy would never ever have heard of her or considered her. I don’t know if she would even be eligible as a Canadian — but that’s a discussion for another day.
What I really wanted to point out is, Weyburn has an extraordinary person in Colleen who has promoted the love of music in this city for many, many years.
Now retired from her long career teaching in Weyburn’s schools (but still subbing in as needed), she has kept her love for music alive in two ways: she is director of the Variations community choir, and she still loves putting on musicals.
She revived them at the Weyburn Comp, and many talented students through the years had incredible experiences acting and singing in her musicals (along with performing in her choirs, such as the STARS Show Choir and the many other choirs she usually had going for the various grades).
She now has the ability to stage a musical with talented people of all ages, and unlike at the Comp, she can put actors and singers into age-appropriate roles.
Anyone who was a student, or a parent of a student, who sang or performed with Colleen will know what an enthusiastic leader and director she is, drawing out the best performances possible from her cast.
Thus, with “All Shook Up”, her newest production, about to be presented on stage, residents need to step up and support this show. There are a total of 50 people involved in the production, of which 35 are the cast on stage.
The songs of Elvis, all classic rock-and-roll, are featured throughout the musical and are interwoven into the various love story lines that come up in the narrative, and it’s just a fun and entertaining musical to take in.
This kind of quality entertainment is part of what makes Weyburn a great community to live and work in.
Maybe the Juno Awards could have some recognition for music teachers and directors …
