2024 Conductor - Vic Pankratz
Vic Pankratz’s love of singing, conducting and teaching has led to a long career at Westgate Mennonite Collegiate and on stages and concert halls across western Canada. At Westgate he is in charge of the choral program, directing six ensembles.He received his formal training at Canadian Mennonite Bible College and the University of Manitoba. He also studied opera at the Banff School for Fine Arts.
Vic has on numerous occasions conducted the Westman, Eastman and Central Manitoba Youth Choirs, the Manitoba Provincial Senior Honour Choir and the Louis Riel Senior Divisional Choir. He was artistic co-director of the Winnipeg Singers for four seasons and artistic Director of Prairie Voices for five seasons.
He has enjoyed a wealth of opportunities in music performance. Vic appeared for six seasons on CBC television’s Hymn Sing, has done solo work with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, The Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir, Groundswell, the Winnipeg Bach Festival the Regina Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonic Choir, Pro Coro of Edmonton, and The Winnipeg Singers. He has also appeared in productions with the Manitoba Opera Association, the Edmonton Fringe Festival, and Dry Cold Productions.
Vic has on numerous occasions conducted the Westman, Eastman and Central Manitoba Youth Choirs, the Manitoba Provincial Senior Honour Choir and the Louis Riel Senior Divisional Choir. He was artistic co-director of the Winnipeg Singers for four seasons and artistic Director of Prairie Voices for five seasons.
He has enjoyed a wealth of opportunities in music performance. Vic appeared for six seasons on CBC television’s Hymn Sing, has done solo work with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, The Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir, Groundswell, the Winnipeg Bach Festival the Regina Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonic Choir, Pro Coro of Edmonton, and The Winnipeg Singers. He has also appeared in productions with the Manitoba Opera Association, the Edmonton Fringe Festival, and Dry Cold Productions.
2024 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.
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.