Chor Leoni Announces 30th Season and Return to Live Performances

 

Photo: David Cooper

Chor Leoni Men’s Choir announces its extraordinary 30th season with the presentation of six live performances, augmented by accompanying digital concerts, from November 2021 through June 2022. The 2021/22 season highlights include 20 commissioned premieres, a newly-renovated home in the glorious performance space at St. Andrew’s-Wesley, the addition of BC composer Don Macdonald as the new Composer-in-Residence, and the presentation of the brand-new professional chamber ensemble, The Leonids.

The season begins with the choir’s most celebrated tradition, Remembrance Day, Nov 10 & 11, which will mark the first-ever concert performance at the newly-renovated St. Andrew’s-Wesley United church.

In addition to the choir’s 30th annual Remembrance Day concert, the season includes festive holiday concerts, the pop and jazz showcase PopCappella II, collaborative performances with The Leonids for the VanMan Choral Summit, and a concert showcasing three marvellous composers in the C/4: Canadian Choral Composition Competition.

“Music is defined by the silences around each note,” says Artistic Director Erick Lichte. “Often, the deepest connection, emotion and meaning of singing is found in the breaths between each phrase. Chor Leoni has taken its longest breath in thirty years, but is now ready to lift its voice and sing a new melody as we announce this 30th anniversary season.”

Chor Leoni’s upcoming season features more than 20 commissioned premieres from a wide range of international and Canadian composers, including new works by BC composer Don Macdonald, the choir’s incoming Composer-in-Residence.

“I’m extremely honoured and excited at the prospect of writing music for an ensemble that played such an integral role in my growth as a musician,” says Macdonald. “Composing for a choir of this calibre over a three-year period will allow me to experiment and delve deeper into all manner of musical possibilities, and as one of the founding members I’m really looking forward to being part of this wonderful community again. It’s a tremendous opportunity and I plan to make the most of it.”

The 30th season also marks the debut of The Leonids, a dream team project-based professional ensemble under the direction of Chor Leoni’s Artistic Director, Erick Lichte. The Leonids include nine of North America’s finest singers. Together, they will present the highest level of musical excellence and provide an unparalleled level of collaboration, education, and mentorship to Chor Leoni’s youth programs and festival participants.

Chor Leoni’s 2021/22 Season:

Breathe in Hope – November 10 & 11, St. Andrew’s-Wesley United
Chor Leoni marks its return to live performance – a time of high emotion on both sides of the stage – with Breathe in Hope, Chor Leoni’s 30th annual Remembrance Day concert. The concert is a poignant reminder of the power of human voices raised in harmony, and the need to experience that together. This beloved tradition offers consolation to all who have experienced loss with a program full of beauty and hope.

Christmas with Chor Leoni – December 17, 18, 20 St. Andrew’s-Wesley United
The choir’s popular candlelit holiday concert features sparkling new arrangements of familiar carols, seasonal favourites, and fun surprises. Violinist Cameron Wilson joins the singing lions for five performances.

PopCappella II – March 4 & 5 at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United
In March, high-impact harmonies abound as Chor Leoni takes on your favourite hits in PopCappella II. Backed by a full band of Vancouver’s best players, you’ll revel in the new and reminisce in the old as the best of pop and choral music meet.

VanMan Choral Summit – May 12 & 13, St. Andrew’s-Wesley United
The VanMan Choral Summit returns and kicks off with A Sound Like This, the debut program of The Leonids in a double bill with Chor Leoni. The concert features works by Chor Leoni’s Composer-in-Residence Don MacDonald, plus astonishing music by Edie Hill, Sarah Rimkus, Ysaÿe Barnwell, Melissa Dunphy, Michael McGlynn, Kile Smith, and Veljo Tormis.

Vanman Summit Concert – May 14 at Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
Chor Leoni’s MYVoice youth outreach choirs and the VanMan Festival Singers will take the stage of the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts alongside The Leonids and Chor Leoni for the awe-inspiring Vanman Summit Concert. The Summit Concert is the only place to experience the joy of youthful singers and the polish of professional ensembles standing together as a community of men committed to singing with open and loving hearts. More than 250 men singing together is a sight and sound to behold!

C/4 – June 3 at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United
The season concludes with C/4, the choir’s Canadian Choral Composition Competition, an interactive and relaxed evening of exploration and connection with three of Canada’s top composers. This year, you’ll meet Katerina Gimon, Pierre Simard, and Robert Rival. C/4 takes you behind the scenes to understand the magic required to create three new Canadian masterpieces and gives you unparalleled access to connect with their creators.

Chor Leoni is thrilled to celebrate the transformative power of live choral music with their audience once again and looks forward to welcoming everyone, secure in the knowledge that those around us are vaccinated, and that the choir is doing its best to keep its community strong and healthy. For a full list of Chor Leoni’s COVID Safety Plan, please visit chorleoni.org/concerthallfaq.

“These are your Lions,” says Lichte. “ We are back and cannot wait to share every note of our 30th Season with you. To everyone far and near – Welcome!”

Tickets are on sale now at chorleoni.org

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