Experience eric whitacre at the bella concert hall
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a once-in-a lifetime choral masterclass with eric whitacre
Apply to join Mount Royal Kantorei’s Chorus of Light: a three-day, once-in-a-lifetime, choral masterclass experience with Grammy-winning composer and conductor, Eric Whitacre.
Selected choristers will be invited to attend live or virtually for pre-event rehearsals throughout April, before joining us in person for three 3-hour masterclass rehearsals led by Eric Whitacre, an interactive ‘Ask Me Anything’ session , and an epic en-masse performance in the Bella Concert Hall, conducted by the composer himself.
The cost to participate is $425 inc. tax per chorister. Please see below FAQ’s for information on what registration includes.
Applications close December 1st.
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Eric Whitacre Conducts Chorus of Light at The Bella Concert Hall
Hear the work of Eric Whitacre, conducted by the acclaimed, Grammy-winning composer himself and performed by more than 300 choristers, in the spectacular Bella Concert Hall.
Chorus of Light will be Eric Whitacre’s first ever Calgary performance.
The event will feature some of his best-loved work, chosen specifically for this performance.
Tickets go on sale February 15th 2027.
Praise for Kantorei Composer Series
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[Luminous Night of the Soul] was the most inspiring and life-altering experience. I had the opportunity to tell Ola how his music saved my life. Musically, I learned so much from Irene, and it re-ignited my love of choral singing.
— Past Participant
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I was in the audience for the concert with Ola Gjello. When I learned that choristers from other groups were participating in the workshop and concert, I made a plan right then to apply the next time Kantorei offered the opportunity.
— Past Participant
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I honestly don't know if anything can exceed the experience I had with Luminous Night of the Soul but I am willing to find out...
— Past Participant
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I was so incredibly moved and inspired during the Luminous Night rehearsals and performances. It was an incredibly challenging repertoire, but performing at the Bella with such talented musicians was a dream come true. It convinced me to pursue music more in my life.
-Past Participant
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I would really appreciate being able to sing with Mount Royal Kantorei again, and travelling from the UK to Canada again to do so, and meeting up again with the friends I made in 2025.
-Past Participant
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I was a part of the choir last year with Ola and Irene. It was such an incredible experience that I wanted to jump on this opportunity as soon as possible! The beautiful music, wonderful venue, amazing guest composer/conductor as well known and of such high caliber as Whitacre - it would be such an honor to be a part of something like this again!!
-Past Participant
About eric whitacre
Grammy Award-winning composer and conductor, Eric Whitacre, is among today’s most popular musicians. A graduate of The Juilliard School, his works are performed worldwide, and his ground-breaking Virtual Choirs have united well over 100,000 singers from more than 145 countries. Among his recent accolades and awards, Eric received the Richard D. Colburn Award from the Colburn School and an Honorary Doctor of Arts from Chapman University (CA).
Eric served consecutive terms as Artist in Residence with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and currently holds the position of Visiting Composer at Pembroke College. He’s also an Ambassador for the Royal College of Music in London and is proud to be a Yamaha artist. A long-term relationship with Decca Classics has produced several no.1 albums which have enduring success. Recorded with vocal supergroup VOCES8 and released in 2023, Home features Eric’s work The Sacred Veil alongside other works spanning his thirty-year composition career.
Eric’s newest composition, Eternity in an Hour, premiered at the Royal Albert Hall in London as part of the BBC Proms in September 2024. Written for choir, string quartet, piano and electronics, it’s the first time Eric has simultaneously conducted and played live electronics on-stage. The piece combines acoustic performance with live synths and real-time sampling and manipulation of the acoustic instruments. In 2025, The Pacific Has No Memory, commissioned by revered violinist, Anne Akiko Meyers, received its premiere performed by Orpheus Chamber Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, followed by performances with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Insatiably curious and a lover of all types of music, Eric has worked with legendary Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer, as well as British pop icons Laura Mvula, Imogen Heap and Annie Lennox.
A widely respected conductor, Eric has worked with the world’s leading choirs and orchestras including the Minnesota Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
In Canda, he has worked with Montreal’s Collège Vocal de Laval and the Vancouver Chamber Choir.
This will be his first time conducting in Calgary.
Please browse our FAQ section to find answers to any questions you may have.
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Chorus of Light is part of Mount Royal Kantorei’s Composer Series. It is a celebration of the music of renowned choral composer Eric Whitacre and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for choristers to learn from and be conducted by the composer himself.
Choristers can apply to take part in the experience, which includes three 3-hour rehearsals with Eric Whitacre, a Q&A, and an en-masse performance in the Bella Concert Hall, conducted by the composer himself.
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Pre-rehearsals: TBC
Rehearsals with Eric Whitacre: TBC
Final rehearsals & concert: May 1st
Location: Bella Concert Hall, Mount Royal University, Calgary -
Chorus of Light – An en-mass choral concert conducted by Eric Whitacre on May 1st, 2027.
Tickets go on sale February 15th. -
Complete the chorister application (above). We will contact you by JANUARY 15th 2027 to let you know if your application has been successful. Successful applicants will be emailed a link to complete their registration and pay the applicable fees.
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Yes. Singers from any choir or individual vocalists are welcome to apply. Balance across SATB voice parts will be maintained.
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Unaffiliated singers (those not currently singing with a choir) may be asked to submit a short video audition. Details are outlined in the application form.
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Cost to participate in Chorus of Light will be $425 inc. tax per chorister
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Four pre-rehearsals with John Morgan (April 5, 12, 19, 26) 7.15pm - 9.45pm
9 hours of rehearsals/workshops with Eric Whitacre
A Q&A with Eric Whitacre
Copies of all music (participants keep their scores)
Participation in the final mass choir concert, conducted by Eric Whitacre
Official merchandise including a tee-shirt
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Pre-Rehearsals (with John Morgan):
TBC
Masterclass Rehearsals with Eric Whitacre:
Thursday, April 29th, 2027 (evening)
Friday, April 30th, 2027 (evening)
Saturday, May 1st, 2027 (afternoon and evening)
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You must attend the rehearsals with Eric on April 29th and 30th and we strongly advise that you attend all prior rehearsals with John Morgan. If you are unable to attend rehearsals prior to the event weekend, please let us know.
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Tickets will go on sale on February 15th.
Tickets will be available from tickets.mru.ca
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We will be performing some of Eric Whitacre’s best loved works - specifically chosen by the composer for this event.
Keep an eye on our socials - we will announce the material there!
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Yes. Sheet music is included in the registration fee and belongs to the participants.
Music packages can be picked up from the MRU Conservatory Office.
Details TBC
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We understand that financial support can make a meaningful difference, and we sincerely appreciate your interest in our bursary program.
Unfortunately, due to limited funding, we are unable to offer bursaries at this time. We hope to be able to provide greater financial support at future choral events. Thank you for your understanding and continued interest.
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Email: chorusoflight@kantorei.ca
Email us at: chorusoflight@kantorei.ca
Email us at: chorusoflight@kantorei.ca
with thanks to our sponsors and supporters
