Musical celebration of Canada includes student poetry contest

The P.E.I. Symphony is looking for poems from Island students as part of a musical celebration of Canada.

The contest is sponsored by Heritage Canada as part of marking the 150th anniversary of Confederation. A four-movement cantata, involving the whole symphony, a youth choir and an adult choir, and possibly soloists, is being commissioned for 2017.

"The lyrics for the choir part is going to be written by school kids on P.E.I.," said symphony president Bruce Craig.

Mainstreet PEI7:08PEI Symphony

PEI Symphony President Bruce Craig tells Natalia Goodwin about a new poetry contest with some unique prizes

The contest is open to students in grades seven to 12, including students in private schools or being home schooled.

"They are going to be selected on what we call the lyrical, artistic merit," said Craig.

"Translation: How good is it?"

Themes celebrating Canadian diversity

The poems can be in English, French, or any Canadian Indigenous language. They can be focused on any one of three themes.

• Inclusion and diversity
• Reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples
• Environmental conservation

The deadline for submissions, which are being accepted online, is the end of October.

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