Shallaway is an internationally award-winning and celebrated youth choir, well recognized for its excellence.
2015 Children’s Choir of the World – Shallaway Youth Choir received top honours at one of the largest and oldest choral competitions in the world — and it was their first time competing in the festival. The St. John’s-based choir competed in the senior children’s choir classical and the folk music categories at the prestigious Llangollen Musical Festival in Wales. The classical troupe came in first, and the folk group placed second. Shallaway won the award for the choir that has the best performance and the top mark out of all the junior and senior children’s choirs; the Children’s Choir of the World trophy.
Order of Newfoundland and Labrador – In 2016, Shallaway’s Artistic Director, Kellie Walsh, was awarded the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador from the provincial government. The Order of Newfoundland and Labrador, which is the highest honor of the province, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence and achievement in any field of endeavour, benefiting in an outstanding manner, the province and its residents.
Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) Creative Arts Award – Shallaway’s Artistic Director, Kellie Walsh, alongside Associate Conductor, Deidre Costello, were also awarded the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) Creative Arts Award from the Bruneau Centre for Excellence in Choral Music on behalf of the Lauda ensemble of Shallaway. Lauda, our newest ensemble introduced in 2017, offers an enriching musical experience in a safe, neurodiverse environment. With a high ratio of musical and social support, including music therapists and choral music specialists, this ensemble fosters acceptance and respect through reciprocal learning.
AWARDS & ACCLAIM
Gold in the Gospel category - Seghizzi International Choral Singing Competition - July 2019
Silver in the Contemporary category -Seghizzi International Choral Singing Competition - July 2019
Third Place - Seghizzi International Choral Singing Competition - July 2019
Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Llangollen, Wales - Children’s Choir of the World - July 2015
Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Llangollen, Wales - First Place, Classical Category Children’s Choir - July 2015
Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Llangollen, Wales - Second Place, Folk Music Category Children’s Choir - July 2015
Bela Bartok International Choral Competition, Debrecen, Hungary - July 2012
ECMA (Canada) – Classical Recording of the Year Nomination for Ann & Seamus - 2011
MusicNL (Canada) – Classical Recording of the Year Nomination for Ann & Seamus - 2011
Represented Canada at the International Society of Music Education 29th World Conference in Beijing, China - 2010
Performed on the Americas Stage at Expo 2010 Shanghai, China - 2010
Invited to present Ann & Seamus at the 8th World Choral Symposium, Copenhagen Opera House, Copenhagen, Denmark - 2008
1st Place, Youth Category – Tolosa International Choral Competition – 2005
1st Runner Up , Tolosa Grand Prix – 2005
Premiere of Ann and Seamus – subsequent tours to mainland Canada, USA and Europe - 2005
Winner – Chorus America’s Top Award for Choral Excellence – 2004
Performed at a series of concerts for the American Choral Director’s Association National Convention, New York City, New York, USA - 2003
Winner – Canada Council for the Arts Grand Prix for Canadian Choirs – CBC National Choral Competition – 2002
1st Place – Youth Choirs (Equal Voice) Category in the CBC Radio National Competition for Amateur Choirs – 2002
ECMA (Canada) nomination, Best classical Recording of the Year for Full Circle – 2002
Invited to appear at the Toronto International Joy of Singing Festival – 2002
Presentation of two world premieres of commissioned work – Great Hall of Hart House, University of Toronto - 2002
Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada) – Best Classical Artist Award for Full Circle – 2001
3rd Place – Let the People Sing Competition
ECMA (Canada) – Best Classical Recording of the Year for At the Rim of the Carol-Singing Sea – 2001
Newfoundland and Labrador 2000 Cultural Tourism Award – awarded by Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador
ECMA (Canada) – Best Classical Recording for Reaching from the Rock – 2000
1st Place – Children’s Choirs – International Choral Kathaumixw Festival in British Columbia, Canada – 1998
2nd Place - Youth Category – International Choral Kathaumixw Festival in British Columbia, Canada – 1998
1st Place – Canadian National Music Festival Award – 1998
ECMA (Canada) – Classical Recording of the Year Nomination for Rock Within the Sea: Songs of Newfoundland - 1998