A Red Deer-made recording has earned a Best Children’s Album nomination from the Western Canadian Music Awards.
The nominated CD, Primary Songs and Dances, was made by the Red Deer company Themes and Variations with a plethora of local talent.
This includes recording engineer/ singer Morgan McKee, and singers Mjaa Danielson, Jane Mueller, Carly Robinson, Shannon Woolgar, Shauna Skinner, and Stacy Mildenberger.
Most of the 27 original songs on the album were composed by Denise Gagne, president of Themes and Variations, with her sister Carmen Bryant also contributing several. Orchestration was done by Craig Cassils of Winnipeg.
“It’s the first time we’ve had a nomination and I’m really, really pleased,” said Gagne, who added, “It’s a nomination for all of the (people) who worked on the recording.”
Themes and Variations started making educational material for children in 1995. The company produces musical books and CDs for preschoolers, elementary schools, parents and choirs. For more information, please go to www.musicplay.ca.
Preschoolers in Red Deer can hear some of the songs in free MusicPlay classes that run at the Parkland Mall on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 to 10:45 a.m. until July 12. To pre-register, please go to www.fsca.ca or call 403-309-8222.
The Western Canadian Music Awards take place on Sept. 30 in Regina.