High School students in Winkler are remembering their teacher and choral director with a new original song.

Karen Giesbrecht was in her 32nd year of teaching and served as Choral Director at Northlands Parkway Collegiate in Winkler when she suddenly passed last fall.

'Are You Gone' was written by Josiah Penner and performed during a moving evening at the NPC Winter Choir Concert.

Penner explains he was working on the song when Giesbrecht died. Afterward, the rest of the song and lyrics came pouring out.

While music has been his passion, Penner says it was hard to sing after Giesbrecht's passing, "because we related music to her so much."

"Eventually we realized we wanted to honour her in the best way we knew how," he says. "Which was to make music."

"Every song we sing moving forward will always be a tribute to her memory, without her we wouldn't really be where we are today because she was always the one who motivated us to do more with our talent and passion for music."

He explains Giesbrecht never believed in failure, but rather changing your attitude or putting in the work. Penner says over the years her students adopted that mindset as well.

"In the future, I hope to be that kind of light for my fellow musicians."

The moon is rising and the snow starts to fall
This pain is blinding all the will I had in my heart
I should feel happy that you’re in a better place now
But there’s one question that remains and it tears me apart

Are you gone
Are you really gone

The time moves slowly ever since you left this world
The colours faded and the air starts to turn cold
But I remember all those times you told me to sing
That’s what I’m doing but it never feels the same

Are you gone
Are you really gone
I will sing for you
I will dance for you
And then see your smile
Ya it hurts just a little less than before
I will never forget you

Are you gone
Are you really gone
Are you gone
I know you’re not gone
I will sing for you
I will dance for you
And then see your smile
Ya it hurts just a little less than before
I will never forget you

Karen Giesbrecht was in her 32nd year of teaching and served as Choral Director at Northlands Parkway Collegiate in Winkler when she suddenly passed last fall.