TOCCATA, FUGUE ET HYMNE SUR AVE MARIS STELLA, OP. 28

Flor Peeters (1903 to 1986)

In 1931, Charles Tournemire dedicated a volume of his plainsong-based L’orgue mystique to Flor Peeters, and two years later Peeters returned the compliment in a major work of his own on a Gregorian theme, the flamboyant Toccata, fugue et hymne sur ‘Ave maris stella’. The theme is the ancient Hymn to the Blessed Virgin Ave maris stella — ‘Hail star of the sea’. In the opening Toccata the tune is declaimed on the pedals below rolling waves of sound — the more thoughtful central section briefly recalls Tournemire in his most chastely modal mood, though the chunky syncopated chords that follow are pure Peeters. After the reprise of the Toccata, the melody becomes the subject of a swinging Fugue in the rhythm of a jig, and finally rings out in bold block chords in the triumphant concluding Hymne.

Program note by David Gammie © 2011

Seek Him That Maketh The Seven Stars

Jonathan Dove (b. 1959)

Opera has been the primary focus of Jonathan Dove’s career, with 30+ stage works to his credit. Among them are The Adventures of Pinocchio (2007) and Marx in London (2018). Other highlights include a comic opera, Flight, and a television opera, When She Died… (2002) which was watched by two and a half million people worldwide. He composed the sweet, radiant anthem, Seek Him That Maketh the Seven Stars, in 1995. He places it in with the centuries-old tradition of composers being inspired by light. While searching for texts to set in answer to a commission from the Royal Academy of Arts for its annual Service for Artists, he found what he was looking for in these heartening, lightinspired words from Psalm 139.

Sing Gently

One of immensely gifted and popular Grammywinning American composer and conductor Eric Whitacre’s most impressive and ground-breaking creations was the Virtual Choir. It has permitted as many as 100,000 singers from 145 countries to perform together. Sing Gently is his latest composition for the Virtual Choir. He hopes its warmth and promise of hope will provide comfort and inspiration “during these challenging times.” A graduate of the prestigious Julliard School in New York, Whitacre has occupied the position of Visiting Composer at Cambridge University (UK) and for the Los Angeles Master Chorale. His compositions have been widely recorded and his debut album as a conductor earned a Grammy Award. As a guest conductor, he has drawn capacity audiences to concerts with many of the world’s leading orchestras and choirs.

HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING? FROM IN SONG

Laura Hawley (b. 1982)

Laura Hawley is a gifted Canadian musician who is deeply involved not only in composing but in creating a unique and compelling approach to musical leadership and artistic programming. Her principal areas of activity include multi-faceted community engagement and a passionate advocacy for Canadian choral art. Her compositions have been described in the publication, The WholeNote, as conjuring “the forces of nature and its effect on the human spirit.” Her works have been commissioned, performed, and recorded by such superlative ensembles as Elektra Women’s Choir and Pro Coro Canada. One of her special areas of activity, and acclaim, is composing music for developing musicians, an activity that has placed her in wide demand. Among the many institutions where she has taught is Edmonton’s Concordia University. How can I keep from singing? is a beautiful, traditional American folk song attributed to a 19th-century Baptist minister, Robert Lowry. It didn’t originate with the group known as the Quakers (The Religious Society of Friends), but it was adopted by them. It gained new popularity in 1991 when popular New Age Irish vocalist Enya released her version. Hawley created her setting in 2018 for the 50th anniversary gala of the Canadian Centennial Choir. She used it as the finale of a five-movement suite entitled In Song, which alternates words in English and French.

SONG OF THE ANGELS (GLORIA)

Mark Sirett excels on an international scale as a composer, pianist, and organist. He holds a doctoral degree in choral conducting from the University of Iowa, and has taught at the University of Alberta, Western University, and Queen’s University. In 2009, he was the recipient of the President’s Leadership Award from Choirs Ontario. He is a Distinguished Alumnus of Grant MacEwan University, Edmonton and recipient of the Mayor’s Award for the Arts-Creator, City of Kingston, Ontario in 2019. In 2020, he launched a new series of Canadian choral music for low voices: Profondo: The Mark Sirett Series

He notes that the use of the traditional ‘Gloria’ text need not be confined to music for Christmas, but is fully appropriate for other occasions, as well. He created the celestial version you will hear at this concert on commission from La Jeunesse Northumberland Girls’ Choir. It exhibits a wide range of influences, from Gregorian Chant to accessible contemporary effects. It has been received with acclaim at a variety of international events.

Magnificat

Over her lengthy and distinguished career, Ruth Watson Henderson has earned the status of a composing and performing icon. Her substantial catalogue of music includes more than 200 choral works, great and small, as well as numerous, awardwinning pieces for organ, piano, violin, and trumpet. In 1989, her Chromatic Partita for organ won a prize in an international competition for women composers in Mannheim, Germany, and three years later, Voices of Earth won the National Choral Award for Outstanding Choral Composition. In 1996, she received the Distinguished Service Award of the Ontario Choral Competition. Many of her works have been recorded and enjoy international popularity. In 2004, CBC Records released a CD made up entirely of her music: Sing All Ye Joyful, performed by an ensemble with which she enjoyed a long and productive relationship: The Elmer Iseler Singers. Additionally, Canadian choirs often perform entire concerts of her compositions, a tribute to her skill and versatility. Many composers have set the joyful ‘Magnificat’ text. This one continues the centuries-old practice of matching these joyful words with equally uplifting, spirited and melodious music.

Mark Bartel

Chorus Director (on leave)

Dr. Mark Bartel is in demand as a versatile conductor and music educator. Since arriving in Calgary, he has been Chorus Director with the Calgary Philharmonic Chorus. Bartel is known for his musical, educational, and community collaborations and has established a reputation as a successful builder of choirs and choral programs. He has conducted college and university choirs for over 20 years and has extensive experience leading a wide range of community choirs in both the United States and Canada. In addition to his interest in choral-orchestral works and choral music of the Baroque period, he brings his expertise as a solo singer and teacher of applied voice to his work with choirs. Bartel is a passionate advocate of the impact of the choral experience in the lives of choristers, in communities, and society at large.

Brendan Lord Interim Chorus Director

Dr. Brendan Lord holds a Bachelor of Arts (Music) degree from Augustana University College, and Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Choral Conducting from the University of Alberta. Recognized for his unique blend of artistic and administrative abilities, Lord is equally comfortable in the boardroom and on the podium. As an administrator, he is the Executive Director of Choir Alberta, Project Manager of Music Conference Alberta, and Advisor for Alberta Music Advocacy Alliance. Artistically, he has conducted choirs at all levels, including Calgary’s Spiritus Chamber Choir, Edmonton’s All-City Children’s Choir, Sherwood Park Festival Singers, and Sangkor Women’s Ensemble at the University of Alberta Augustana Campus. Between 2001 and 2016, Dr. Lord was a Sessional Instructor at the University of Alberta, where he taught courses in conducting, music theory, and musicianship.

Evan Mounce

Assistant Chorus Director

Calgary-based pianist and vocal coach Evan Mounce is in demand as a leader and collaborator. Mounce is Assistant Chorus Director of the Calgary Philharmonic, newly appointed Répétiteur with Calgary Opera, and Director of Music at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. As a vocal coach, Mounce has worked with kd lang, preparing her for her 25th anniversary tour of Ingénue. Recent collaborations include work with Luminous Voices, Spiritus Chamber Choir, Edmonton Opera, and Choir Alberta. With soprano Laura Brandt, Mounce has presented numerous recitals including ones for the Mountain View International Festival of Song and Chamber Music, the ProArts Recital Series, and together they have performed on two river cruises from Budapest to Amsterdam as ambassadors of Calgary Opera.

Neil Cockburn Organ

Celebrated for his diverse repertoire interests and expertise, Neil Cockburn is Director of Chapel Music at the University of King’s College in Halifax, directing and accompanying the Chapel Choir and University Chorus. He performs a spectrum of solo organ recitals, from Bach on historically inspired organs and symphonic programs on romantic instruments to concerts of entirely new works. In addition to many Canadian performances, Cockburn has performed in the UK, France, Germany, Poland, South Africa, Sweden, and the US. His most recent solo recording features music by 17th-century French composer André Raison. Born in Scotland, Cockburn studied music at Oxford University, the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, the Conservatoire à rayonnement régional de Rueil-Malmaison in France, and the University of Calgary. His formative teachers include David Sanger, Margaret Phillips, and Dame Gillian Weir. He won first prize at the 1996 Dublin International Organ Competition and has received numerous prestigious awards, including the W T Best Memorial Organ Scholarship, a Countess of Munster Musical Trust scholarship, and the Lili Boulanger Memorial Fund prize — awarded by an international panel of judges. He was awarded the Distinguished Teaching Award by Mount Royal University in 2014.

Cantaré Children’s Choir Ensemble

Cantaré Children’s Choir, formed in 1997 by Founder/ Artistic Director Catherine Glaser-Climie, is Calgary’s premiere program for children/youth dedicated to providing an extraordinary choral music experience through excellence in performance, outstanding music education, and community outreach through song and touring. In addition to presenting their own acclaimed concert series, this award-winning choir has performed for prestigious events across the country including a private performance for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Ottawa and annual performances as the Resident Artist of the Field of Crosses Memorial during the 11 days of Remembrance. Cantaré regularly performs in collaboration with the Calgary Philharmonic, Calgary Opera, and other prominent ensembles across Alberta. Singers ages 6 to 18 come together in one of four ensembles to share in the very finest sacred and secular works from Baroque to challenging contemporary pieces. The choir is known as a champion of works by Canadian composers and have commissioned nearly 20 works in its 25 seasons. Cantaré has won awards at all levels including First Prize at Canada’s National Music Festival. Their choristers are ambassadors for Calgary through concert tours across Canada, the US, and Europe.

1960

1963

The Chorus is formed by Music Director Haymo Taeuber

1964

The 70-voice ensemble performs with the Orchestra for the first time in a performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9

1977

The Chorus is revived, again led by Chorus Director Lloyd Erickson

1975

The Chorus is dissolved when Music Director Maurice Handford leaves the Orchestra

1970

The Chorus is restarted, led by Chorus Director Lloyd Erickson

1980

1985

The Calgary Philharmonic moves into its current home at the Jack Singer Concert Hall

1988

The Orchestra and Chorus are joined by several other choirs for the Olympic Arts Festival Opening Gala at the Saddledome

2015

Chorus Director Timothy

Shantz and the Chorus travel to Chicago to present a concert in the Rockefeller Memorial Chapel

2015

The Orchestra and Chorus perform at the opening of the Bella Concert Hall

2012

The Orchestra and Chorus perform the world premiere of Afghanistan: Requiem for a Generation by composer Jeffrey Ryan

2020

2020

Dr. Mark Bartel is appointed Chorus Director

2020

– 2021

The Chorus adapts to the pandemic, with online concerts and car choir recordings

1968

The Chorus is disbanded with Music Director Haymo Taeuber’s departure from the Orchestra

1970