800+ CHORISTERS TUNE UP FOR KANTOREI CHORAL FESTIVAL 2024 featuring acclaimed composer Katerina Gimon
Hundreds of choral singers from across Canada are preparing to attend Western Canada’s premier choral music festival from April 17th - 21st, 2024, at the prestigious Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts.
Kantorei Choral Festival has more than doubled in size since its inaugural year in 2023.
The festival will be attended by multi-award-winning Canadian composers Katerina Gimon and Dr. Larry Nickel - who will be taking choral groups through their paces in a series of masterclasses and workshops to help them hone their unique craft.
The festival culminates in two spectacular choral concerts (300 Voices) where choirs will perform selected works individually and en masse in the Bella Concert Hall.
300 Voices will showcase a diverse repertoire of performances including Wannabe by the Spice Girls, sung as an English Madrigal, Diamonds by Sia, Koowu by Palestinian- American composer Maryam Khoury, Four Strong Winds by Ian Tyson and Nihtohtamok Askîy (Listen to the Land) by Cree-Dene composer, Sherryl Sewepagaham.
Katerina Gimon said: “Calgary’s choral music scene is as exciting as it is diverse, and I can’t wait to work with the talented and enthusiastic choristers attending Kantorei Choral Festival this year. Choral music is a universal language which transcends the societal boundaries which often divide us. Choirs provide so many people around the world with
a sense of belonging and a way to communicate ideas and emotions with each other. It’s incredible to be able to support that space and expression.”
Choral groups attending the festival represent a diverse range of voices and include: Youth Singers of Calgary, Cantares Latin Choir, Calgary Korean Canadian Choir, Spiritus Chamber Choir, and LGBTQ2S+ choir One Voice Chorus and Mount Royal Kantorei.
Mount Royal Kantorei is the flagship chorus of Mount Royal University’s Conservatory. Established in 1995, Kantorei is a mixed-voice, auditioned choir of 90 members helmed by musician, conductor, and educator John Morgan.
Morgan is also the Artistic Director of Kantorei Choral Festival. He said:
“Calgary’s choral music scene is truly world-class, so it’s fitting that the city should have a choral music festival that reflects the strength and diversity of its choristers. Kantorei Choral Festival has more than doubled in size from 2023, its inaugural year, and we couldn’t be happier to be welcoming more than 800 choristers for masterclasses, workshops and two incredible performances in the Bella Concert Hall.”
Kantorei Choral Festival is supported by Calgary Arts Development, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Mount Royal University Conservatory, and the Taylor Centre for Performing Arts.
Tickets to 300 Voices can be purchased at www.tickets.mru.ca
ENDS
For media enquiries: email marketing@kantorei.ca
Notes to editors and interview opportunities:
Katerina Gimon
Acclaimed Canadian composer and musician Katerina Gimon (31) is a multiple winner of the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers in Canada (SOCAN) Awards, was nominated for Western Canadian Composer of the Year in 2021 and 2023 and won the 2022 Barbara Pentland Award for Outstanding Composition. Her works have been performed all over the world, from Hong Kong to Berlin.
John Morgan
Calgary-based John Morgan is the Artistic Director of Mount Royal Kantorei, acclaimed vocal group Revv52 and Vocal Director of The Young Canadians. He is a conductor, organist, pianist, recording engineer and composer, whose work has been performed across North America. He is a driving force in Canadian choral music.
Dr. Larry Nickel
Canadian composer, conductor and music publisher Dr. Larry Nickel is owner and chief editor of Cypress Choral Music and an Associate Composer at the Canadian Music Centre.