Marni Strome has worked with the Calgary Children’s Choir as a Music Director since its inception in 1988, assuming the role of Artistic Director in 1993. In this role she oversees the entire choral program and directs the two senior choirs. Her enthusiasm and positive leadership allow her to create and foster choirs that combine a high level of artistry with a strong sense of community, stewardship and fun. Marni has toured with the choir to numerous parts of Canada, Carnegie Hall in New York, Europe and Japan, where they have performed and also taken part in festivals with internationally recognized conductors such as Dr. Henry Leck, Dr. David Flood, and Dr. Will Kesling. Her choirs have been award winners in local and provincial festivals, where adjudicators often comment on the choir’s sense of ensemble and musical sensitivity. The impact of her musical leadership and mentorship is seen across the music scene in Calgary and beyond, as former choristers have gone on to become professional singers, voice teachers, conductors and composers. In 2012 Calgary Children’s Choir proudly celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Beyond the Calgary Children’s Choir program, Marni Strome is active as a teacher, conductor, clinician and adjudicator. She has worked for over 20 years teaching choral music in the public education system, and has also led the choir of St. Giles Presbyterian Church for 13 years.
Having studied music formally since the age of three, Marni Strome brings a lifelong love of music, singing and the choral art to her profession. Attesting to the diversity of her skills, as a youth, Marni also won provincial and national awards for composition. Mentors include Rosemarie Sherban (founder of the Calgary Children’s Choir), David Ferguson, and Janos Horvath. Marni Strome received her degrees from the University of Calgary, where she subsequently has taught Choral Conducting pedagogy based on the Kodaly Method for the University’s summer diploma program. Marni has also completed her Associateship in Vocal Performance from the Toronto Conservatory as well as Grade Eight piano. Marni continually seeks opportunities to further her expertise in the choral and vocal field, having recently completed a choral and orchestral conducting master class in Varna, Bulgaria, under the instruction of Danall Rachev, and Dr. William Dehning.
Marni’s goal is to engage people in the art of choral music so that they will become lifetime participants in the field of music and in the music community.