Singing our song, almost 40 years strong!

In 1986, Dr. Lillian Upright formed a choir as an offshoot of her church choir. Two years after she started the choir,Tim Hankewich took over, soon followed by director, Jan Dammann. Then in 1990, Eric Mierau took over as director with his daughter Criselda as accompanist. After a year, Criselda took over and remained as the Guild’s Artistic Director until 2023.

What began as a mixed choir of 24 voices grew to almost 50 singers with many on the waiting list. Eventually the Guild expanded its programming to include six choirs: The St. Albert Singers, The St. Albert Women’s Vocal Ensemble and four children’s choirs. Although the Guild no longer runs the women’s and children’s choirs, our current mixed choir has a membership of 72.

Many of these 72 singers joined the Guild for the first time in the fall of 2023, as we welcomed our new Artistic Director, Caroline Crispin. An enthusiastic music teacher and accomplished musician, Caroline has been warmly welcomed into the SASG community. She brings a community focus and a desire to share music with all ages and levels of experience. The choirs appreciates the fun-loving style and collaborative approach she brings to this choir with a long-standing history.

The St. Albert Singers Guild is a community, as well as a musical family. Within the choir family we make new friendships and nurture long term relationships. We celebrate milestones, we grieve losses, and we work together to further the goals of the Guild. The music draws us all together; the love of singing and of bringing joy to others through performance is something we all share no matter what our background or musical experience.

Single Term: $165 Full Year: $320

Fees are due and payable upon registration for returning members. New members may attend two rehearsals before their fees are due and payable. Payment can be made using post-dated cheques, e-transfers or cash. If you require financial assistance, you can contact our treasurer Louise or any board member. Please make cheques payable to ST. ALBERT SINGERS GUILD. All NSF cheques will carry a $25 service charge. Please send e-transfers to [email protected] and include “membership fees” in the comments section.

Membership fees will be refunded if a member withdraws up to six weeks of rehearsals into the term and will be determined as fee paid less an administration fee of $20. Six weeks is sufficient time for a member to decide whether the choir is a “right fit” for their family or other obligations. A refund is not granted after six weeks.

As a not-for-profit organization, we rely heavily on fundraising to gather the funds to run our group. From donations for gift baskets, turkey raffles, grocery gift cards, sing-a-long nights, 50/50s or our annual Irish Dinner, there are many opportunities to volunteer and help with these events. As well as financially benefitting the choir, working on these initiatives is also a great deal of fun and a way to get to know your fellow singers. Please consider stepping forward to help in whatever way you can, or to make suggestions for fundraising ideas.

Hello Members of St Albert Singers Guild

I am Caroline Crispin and I am thrilled to have been chosen as your new Artistic Director. I look forward to an exciting year creating music with all of you.

My lifelong journey with music began at the tender age of three, and it has been an inseparable part of my being ever since. With over four decades of experience in instrumental music as well as the choral music scene, both as a performer and a conductor, my passion for music is not only evident but can be contagious.

For the past 14 years, I have been a music teacher with St. Albert Public Schools. I have a true love for teaching and a profound belief that music is not just an art form, but an essential part of life, accessible to everyone.

I am currently at the helm of two thriving choirs at Muriel Martin School in St. Albert. Our choirs have had the honor of gracing esteemed stages, including the Arden Theatre, the Jubilee Auditorium, and most recently, the prestigious Winspear Centre.

As a choral director, I believe in not only the art of music, but also the beauty of human connection. My wish is to ensure that all choirs continue to thrive and leave a lasting impact on all who have the pleasure of participating in, and experiencing their performances.

I very much anticipate meeting each one of you

Warmest regards, Caroline

Hello and thank you for the warm welcome I have received already.  My name is Caroline Crispin and I am absolutely thrilled to embark on this new musical journey with all of you as the new choir director for the St. Albert Singers Guild. While my background primarily revolves around working with children’s choirs, I am genuinely excited to bring my lifelong passion for music and choral experiences to this diverse group of voices.

My love affair with music began at an early age, at the tender age of three, when I first picked up the violin. From that moment on, music became an inseparable part of my life. I was fortunate enough to be raised in a family that cherished the arts, fostering a supportive environment for me to explore and grow as a musician. This led me to join various choir families and learn a variety of instruments as I progressed through my musical journey.

As a choir member, I experienced the magic of harmonizing with others, feeling the power of music’s emotional connection, and witnessing the transformation it brought to individuals and communities alike. Those experiences left an indelible mark on my heart and ignited my passion for sharing the joy of music with others.

Now, as I step into this new role as the choir director for our community, I am honored and humbled by the trust placed in me. I am certain that our shared love for music will be the driving force that brings us closer. I promise to lead with passion, dedication, and enthusiasm, as we explore diverse musical genres, improve our vocal skills, and most importantly, have fun while doing it!

Let us build a community that celebrates the joy of music-making, where every voice is heard, and every individual finds a home among friends. I eagerly await the countless musical moments we will share, and I am confident that together, we will create something truly remarkable.

So, let’s take a deep breath, warm up those vocal cords, and embark on this exciting musical adventure together. Here’s to making beautiful memories, forging lasting friendships, and creating music that will resonate in our hearts for years to come. Thank you for welcoming me into this wonderful community, and I can’t wait to begin this incredible journey with all of you!

Caroline