Landlocked Prince George will be singing by the seashore this weekend.
Choral group Nove Voce holds a spring concert entitled Sea To Sea where Canada's coastlines will be drawn tightly around the stage at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, and caught up in that riptide are some of our country's finest composers.
"Canada has a long and prestigious history of great choral music and we are thrilled to be representing pieces from across our country," said Nove Voce choir director Robin Norman. "It is also fitting that we are partnering with Historica Canada for this event and showing Heritage Minutes throughout, to introduce the pieces. Heritage Minutes are the often humorous or poignant pieces that have been on televisions across Canada for the past 30 years, highlighting stories such as Tommy Prince, our most decorated soldier, or Les Volitgeurs de Quebec who first performed O Canada. Heritage Minutes have given Canadians a common vocabulary when discussing our history."
The national vocabulary is never so eloquent as in the hands of artists, and songwriter has been one of the most treasured artistic professions this country has ever embraced. No region has been without its shining lights of music.
"One thing I tried really hard to do was choose literally from one coast to another," said Norman. "We start with Let Me Fish Off Cape St. Mary's and Early Spring, both Newfoundland folk songs. Then we go to Away From The Roll Of The Sea by B.C. composer Dianne Loomer.
"I also tried very hard in this concert to include several female composers/arrangers," Norman added. "We are using two pieces by Dianne Loomer. Dianne was the founder of Chor Leoni, the very prestigious Vancouver men's ensemble. She passed away two years ago but has left us with a great legacy of music. We also included a new composer, Christine Donkin, who studied at UBC and U of A. The piece that we are doing of hers is The Dawn Is Not Distant, a celestial soundscape.
"Of course you can't do Canada without the Logdriver's Waltz or some Gordon Lightfoot too," she added. "Those pieces are rounding out prairies with the folk side of it. We are performing Pussy Willows And Cattails and a great piece called Woodsmoke And Oranges by Ian Tamblyn. Finally we chose two French Canadian pieces, Vive La Rose and Ah! So Mon Moine Voila It Danser just for fun."
Since this region is also brimming with musical talent, Nove Voce's voices have called in some instrumental help to share the excitement. Special guest accompanists include Black Spruce Bog member Danny Bell on percussion, as well as local vocal director and musician Barb Parker, flutist Anna Hallum and oboist Erika Skowron, all connected to the PGSO.
The concert occurs on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. Tickets are at Studio 2880 or at the door.
