Discover your roots through music

Helgi Leesment

Astrid Simmermon, an enthusiastic music director, would like to start an AEHS choir or quartet or octet or something in between. It will be based in Calgary but special arrangements can be made for interested Albertans elsewhere. Anneli White has agreed to be accompanist. The group will aim to perform at Jaanipäev next June.

As of January 2007, we will have a place for weekday evening practices.

Astrid grew up in a musical family in London, Ontario, and moved to Calgary in 1991. Astrid has five older sisters and one younger brother about whom she comments “we all sang at school, in the community (Western Fair), in Church and at Estonian functions for all our preschool, elementary and secondary school years.” Astrid comes by her musical talents naturally, having taken piano, singing and conducting courses in addition to being self-taught. She has composed music and produced one cassette tape of Christmas Music (keyboard and vocals) and is working on a CD currently called "Ma Pole Eland Seal/I have not lived there"—all Estonian music and arrangements of popular Estonian folk songs (keyboard and vocals).

She and her husband Dave Simmermon have three children. So far, the oldest, 9-year old Victoria, is also showing musical talent, singing with her mother in Estonian despite not speaking the language at all. Adds Astrid “I arrange music as well for choirs, soloists and children's singing groups.” In addition she has sung in different choirs and conducted various children’s and adult choirs.

Astrid has a dream/vision of Alberta Estonians reaching out across the province and discovering our roots and relations with one another through music.