About Joan Glasgow

My first solo public performance, so my mother tells me, was at the ripe, old age of three years. My family and I were on a train heading out to the Gaspé region of Quebec to visit relatives. I apparently felt the urge to burst into song at the uncivilized hour of 6:00 a.m., "favouring" the occupants of the sleeper car to a rousing rendition of "Jingle Bells"! (Keep in mind that this was in the midst of summer.) Talk about your captive audience! Who needs a wake-up call with this kid on-board?

I come from a musical family. My Dad played the fiddle and my older sister, Colleen, has a lovely voice and plays piano. Colleen got me started singing, having me join in sing-alongs beside the piano when she and Dad played duets. I remember the first time I sang a solo at church: I was nine years old and Colleen accompanied me on the piano when I sang "Mansion Over the Hilltop". My friends Ruth, Gayle and Edith Joyes taught me how to sing harmony, mostly just by sitting beside them in church and listening to them sing parts. Our church had a choir and a very active youth group; we were always preparing for solos, duets and trios, so music has always been in the forefront. My Mom used to sing while she was ironing and from her I gained an appreciation of some of the songs from the war eras.

Although sacred music plays a very significant part in my life, I enjoy a variety of genres: musical theatre, folk, opera, jazz. I was a member of the Calgary Opera Chorus for about four seasons, and for a time three classmates from university and I formed a ladies a capella jazz/swing quartet named "4 Higher". I also enjoy directing choirs: I've had the privilege of conducting two church choirs and a community-based men's group. Right now I teach singing from my studio at home and find it very rewarding. I try to fit in singing and/or acting in some shows around the city with amateur theatre groups whenever I can.