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(Image Credit: supplied by Esther Ling.)
By Curtis Galbraith
Local Music

Two songs by former Grande Prairie resident to be premiered by two girls choirs in May

Apr 30, 2026 | 4:07 PM

Two girls’ choirs will premiere two different works by the same artist, formerly from Grande Prairie, in May.

The first work by Esther Ling is called Louder Than Before. The Grande Prairie Girls Choir will perform the song at their spring concert called Flight. It will take place on Saturday (May 2). The concert starts at 3:30 p.m. at the Christian Fellowship Assembly.

Ling calls it a “pop-inspired, very energetic and uplifting song.”

“(It) explores the themes of identity, confidence, and sisterhood; stronger together as one voice, singing in harmony, louder than before.”

Ling says Louder Than Before is a modern twist on choral performances.

The second piece is called Orange Skies. Ling says this one is “quite a bit different.”

“It’s more of a lyrical, storytelling piece, which has four distinct sections, and each section grows with intensity and complexity in its sound and the vocal parts.”

Orange Skies is about an Indigenous child who lost their home in a wildfire, and Ling hopes it “brings a message of compassion and empathy” to those learning the song and the audience.

It will premiere on May 30 at the Peace Region Girls Choir spring concert called “An Afternoon of Song: Earth, Fire, Wind, Water. That show will also be held at the Christian Fellowship Assembly.

Ling says she was thrilled when the choirs approached her.

“(It’s) more challenging. There’s more complexity to the music and (it was) really fun, really fun to work with the choir directors to learn their unique needs and their artistic vision for their upcoming concerts.”

Ling says writing for girls is “very inspiring.”

“(It was) very empowering for me as an emerging composer. It’s such an honour to be able to support both girl choirs in Grande Prairie, and very rewarding to hear that the girls are also enjoying learning the songs.”

Ling is hoping the girls in the choirs will now be motivated to learn songwriting.

Ling now lives in Calgary.

by Curtis Galbraith