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HomeNewsJuno-nominated choir to make NWT debut at NACC

Juno-nominated choir to make NWT debut at NACC

The Juno-nominated Canadian Chamber Choir is coming to the NWT for the very first time. Local composer Carmen Braden and her company, Black Ice Sound, are bringing the 24-person choir up north, with assistance from Yellowknife Choral Society and conductor Margo Nightingale.

Where Waters Meet, Braden’s newest piece, was commissioned by the CCC and will premiere on Saturday, October 12th at 7:30 p.m. at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre in Yellowknife. The composition showcases the work of Indigenous poet Yolanda Bonnell and explores various Canadian perspectives on water and water security.

Braden, who was recently named Western Canada’s Songwriter of the Year for 2019, explains that Where Waters Meet is a set of five movements that touch on water in different ways but that come from a blood-deep knowledge that we all need water, are made of water, and have impacts on water

“At the places where waters meet, there is turbulence. There is a mixing, sometimes a muddying, maybe the waters get rough. And then the two waters move on together.”

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In final creative rehearsals, the CCC will partner with Dene fiddler Wesley Hardisty in bringing Braden’s score to performance. The 15-minute work will be unveiled alongside a program of all-Canadian repertoire that features both emerging and established composers. Aurora Chorealis will appear as special guests.

Artistic Director, Dr. Julia Davids notes that the CCC is so pleased to be realizing a longtime dream of coming to the North.

“Yellowknife is a vibrant singing community and it will be an honour to work with some outstanding artists, both individuals and ensembles.”

As part of its initiatives for singers of all ages and stages, the CCC will present workshops in Yellowknife for Aurora Chorealis, Fireweed Children’s Chorus and students at Sir John Franklin High School. They will also mentor three Apprentice Singers: Raven Mutford, Anna Pontin and Olivia Rockwell, while several local conductors will benefit from the tutelage of the CCC’s artistic team.

Nightingale, in addition to her duties with Aurora Chorealis, has been invited to serve as the CCC’s Conducting Fellow and will guest conduct the ensemble for a brief tour of Edmonton October 15-19 following its appearances in Yellowknife.

Tickets for the event are $35 at the door, $30 in advance and $10 for students. They are available online at carmenbraden.com.

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