Dear Friends of Pro Coro Canada
Dear Patrons
I am thrilled to announce our exciting, ambitious and captivating 25.26 season, filled with unforgettable experiences, powerful collaborations, and groundbreaking music. True to our motto - Bold Stories & Bold Sounds - we're pushing the boundaries of A CHORAL CONCERT, bringing you a season that is as unique as it is extraordinary.
As I was envisioning this season’s programming, I was captivated by how my interested centred on the lives of well-known and well-appreciated persons, and how their stories are coming to life through choral music by a diverse array of composers. Our concerts will re-introduce you to the lives of the Little Match Girl, Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim, the extraordinary medieval mystic Margery Kempe, the mother of Christ at the Cross, and the Patron Saint of Music, Saint Cecilia and Saint John of Chrysostom.
A Season of Unforgettable Experiences
Our season opens in September with a highly anticipated return of our favorite guest conductor, Lone Larsen from Sweden. She'll lead us in From a Root a Flower Opens, a program of traditional repertoire and innovative improvisations. But this isn't just a concert; it's a community experience. You'll have the chance to be part of the performance yourself by joining workshops and contributing a short section to the final concert. We're also proud to be part of a global initiative, partnering with the International Federation for Choral Music and the UN to bring an emerging conductor from Ukraine to our stage through the Conductors Beyond Borders program.
In November, we're joining forces with Kappella Kyrie (dir. Melanie Turgeon) to present Peter Togni’s monumental Divine Liturgy for St. John Chrysostom. This powerful work will resonate perfectly within the fitting walls of St. Basil’s Ukrainian Church.
As the holidays approach we’re excited to share for the third time again A Christmas Carol by Benedict Sheehan with a performance in Edmonton, featuring Vocal Collective (dir. Mona Holton & Daryl Weissburger). This edition will take place at McDougall United Church with an improved sound-system for our narrator. Our season is not complete without our traditional New Year's Eve concert and the 13th edition of the stunning Little Match Girl Passion.
Cutting-Edge Programming and Exclusive Collaborations
We continue to lead the way in choral music with a season of exclusive events and innovative programming. We're honored to present the North American premiere of Paul Mealor’s "choral opera" Light of Paradise. This awe-inspiring work for choir, soloists, and saxophone quartet will feature the internationally acclaimed Quasar saxophone quartet from Montreal, a collaboration you won't want to miss.
For our Good Friday with Pro Coro program, we’re happy to perform newly renovated and re-configured All Saints’ Anglican cathedral, and present Dvorak's revered Stabat Mater.
Our season concludes with a timely and important program. Ice features a new works by Canadian creators on the urgent theme of climate change. We'll be joined by the incredible Edmonton Young Voices (dir. Lyndsey Ohlsen) for this moving and thought-provoking concert.
This season is more than just a series of concerts; it's a celebration of collaboration, community, and the power of the human voice. We invite you to join us for an unforgettable season of thrilling music and shared experiences. So, join us for a season filled with Bold Stories and Bold Sounds!
Michael Zaugg
Managing and Artistic Director, and Principal Conductor
