2026 Conductor - rob monson
Rob Monson currently teaches instrumental music at Fort Richmond Collegiate and is very excited to be working with the singers of the Central Manitoba Youth Choir. Over the past 30 years, he has had the privilege of singing with and directing many choirs and bands throughout the province. Most recently, he has worked with Prairie Voices Inc., directing the choir Bluestem.
Rob has conducted workshops for the Central, Eastern, and Western Manitoba Choral Associations, served as an adjudicator at MCA’s Choralfest and the Brandon University Jazz Festival, and acted as a clinician in numerous school divisions across Manitoba. As a tuba player, he has performed with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Winnipeg Wind Ensemble, and the Winnipeg Brass Quintet. Rob is passionate about making music and about the way it brings people together. He firmly believes that:
“Music offers a phenomenon wherein may be expressed the highest feelings to which humanity has arisen. The destiny of music education is to teach us to love this great force not merely as an ornament, but for its ennobling energy, for its power of making us better by arousing within each individual a perception of what is good, just and beautiful.”
— Dr. Frank Bencriscutto
Rob has conducted workshops for the Central, Eastern, and Western Manitoba Choral Associations, served as an adjudicator at MCA’s Choralfest and the Brandon University Jazz Festival, and acted as a clinician in numerous school divisions across Manitoba. As a tuba player, he has performed with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Winnipeg Wind Ensemble, and the Winnipeg Brass Quintet. Rob is passionate about making music and about the way it brings people together. He firmly believes that:
“Music offers a phenomenon wherein may be expressed the highest feelings to which humanity has arisen. The destiny of music education is to teach us to love this great force not merely as an ornament, but for its ennobling energy, for its power of making us better by arousing within each individual a perception of what is good, just and beautiful.”
— Dr. Frank Bencriscutto
2026 Accompanist - Loren Hiebert
Ever since he was a quiet little boy growing up in rural Kansas, Loren Hiebert has felt a close connection to music. The folks in church always sang in four-part harmony, and there was southern gospel music on the record player. A most significant part of Loren's musical development was his uncle and piano teacher, Glenn Loewen. Since 1980, Loren has been sharing that rich musical relationship with 60-70 piano students a year. Drawing on his active professional life as a performer, recording artist, collaborator, and adjudicator, he has been eager to bring his students into that
world of vibrant creative experience.
Loren has been the accompanist for many individuals and groups, including opera singers
Andriana Chuchman, Robyn Driedger Klassen, Victor Engbrecht, Philip Ens and Jerome Hines.
Loren has performed and recorded extensively with violinist Rosemary Siemens, he improvised
the accompaniments on Canzona's three CD recordings of German hymns, and he currently
accompanies the Southern Manitoba Choral Society, and the Faith and Life Male Choir.
In addition to a university music degree, Loren holds Royal Conservatory of Music ARCT diplomas in piano performance and piano teaching. He remains a long-time member of the piano faculty at the International Music Camp. In 2012, Loren received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal for his work with youth choirs, music within the community, and private music instruction. In 2018, he was recognized as a Teacher of Distinction by the Royal Conservatory of Music. Loren and his wife Lori live in Altona.
world of vibrant creative experience.
Loren has been the accompanist for many individuals and groups, including opera singers
Andriana Chuchman, Robyn Driedger Klassen, Victor Engbrecht, Philip Ens and Jerome Hines.
Loren has performed and recorded extensively with violinist Rosemary Siemens, he improvised
the accompaniments on Canzona's three CD recordings of German hymns, and he currently
accompanies the Southern Manitoba Choral Society, and the Faith and Life Male Choir.
In addition to a university music degree, Loren holds Royal Conservatory of Music ARCT diplomas in piano performance and piano teaching. He remains a long-time member of the piano faculty at the International Music Camp. In 2012, Loren received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal for his work with youth choirs, music within the community, and private music instruction. In 2018, he was recognized as a Teacher of Distinction by the Royal Conservatory of Music. Loren and his wife Lori live in Altona.