Kidd is a recently retired music educator who was with the Waterloo Region District Public Board for 31 years. She has taught music to students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 in both vocal and instrumental programs. At the time if her retirement she was Head of Music at Bluevale Collegiate in Kitchener. She is a respected clinician, adjudicator, conductor, and music educator both in Canada and the United States.
Not new to large choirs, Kidd conducted the 500 voice Kodaly Choir at the Centre in the Square for two consecutive years and was also delighted to conduct the auditioned female, male and mixed Chamber Choirs for the 2009 Waterloo Region High School Choral Festival.
The Music department will be enriched by Kidd’s experience and passion for education. She has won numerous awards in teaching excellence, and was nominated in both 2007 and 2008 for the highly coveted Premier’s Award for Teaching Excellence.
Dr. Kenneth Hull, Chair of the Music department, said:
We are delighted and extremely fortunate that a conductor and educator of Nancy’s stature has agreed to direct the University Choir. Her passion for music-making is infectious, and her commitment is not just to the music but to the singers themselves as well. She plans to retain the community focus that the choir has always had, welcoming not just students but other members of the University of Waterloo community and the wider community as well.
The University Choir meets every Tuesday night in the Grebel Chapel from 7:00pm to 10:00pm beginning the first week of classes each term. This large choir performs a varied repertoire of works from the past and present. No formal audition is required. Students, faculty, staff, and community members interested in joining the University Choir should plan to attend the first rehearsal. All voices are welcome.
The choir will perform “Remembrance, Peace, Joy” on Saturday, November 28, at 8:00pm at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church in Kitchener.