Winner Announced for Theme Song Competition

Cultural organizers of the 2010 Arctic Winter Games in Grande Prairie are building momentum by announcing the winner of their Theme Song Competition.

In an effort to capture the International flavor of these unique Northern Games, the competition invited entries from anyone who has spent more than five years living North of the 55th parallel. After careful consideration of the many entries received, the selection committee decided on Grande Prairie’s own Kerry Hesse (nee Biegel) as the winning songwriter.

“As a songwriter, this was an opportunity for me to be a part of something that was so much bigger than myself,” says Hesse “I wrote the words to inspire and encourage people to give it their all and be the best that they can be.”

Hesse is from a musically talented family with deep roots in the Peace Region. Director of Culture Jackie Clayton says the selection committee was very impressed with Hesse’s entry entitled ‘Rise Up’.

“Kerry’s entry really exemplified the message we were hoping to get across with our Theme Song. We know that it will do a great job of inspiring the over 2,000 participants coming to Grande Prairie for the Games, as well as our local community in the eight months until we get there.” Clayton says the song speaks to the many ways individuals can ‘Rise Up’ and show their pride for sport, culture, and community.

In keeping with the youth focus of the Games, Wayne Ayling, Chair of Opening and Closing Ceremonies was tasked with ensuring the arrangement of the song had strong appeal to young people. Ayling looked to Shane Seward, a young musician heavily involved with the local music scene to involve other young artisits and come up with the arrangement of the 2010 Arctic Winter Games rock anthem.

The song will be featured at many events leading up to and during the Games - including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. It will be arranged for acoustic guitar, rock band, and choir. A wide variety of singers will be enlisted to perform the song.


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