EAR #33 - PIVOT

EAR - a newsletter for choral pedagogues

EAR #33

Dear choral colleagues,

We’re back with our last installment in the PIVOT edition of EAR where we introduce the 6 composer who will have their works premiered in May. Today, we’re meeting Kalaisan from Ontario. When I first listened to his music, I was intrigued by his ability to create an expansive sonority. It was an instrumental sound that made me excited about wanting him to write for choir in the same way. Come and hear how he’s achieved that, on May 15 in Edmonton or on tv.procoro.ca.

Pro Coro is off to sing in Stony Plain tonight, with guest Vocal Collective (directors Mona Holton and Daryl Weisenburger), and tomorrow in Camrose, with the Augustana Chamber Choir (director John Wiebe). Both concerts feature music by Estacio, Hawley, Beatch, Gilliland, Berry and Sewepagaham which we commissioned during pandemic in 2020. Come and hear us if you’re in the area!

With my best wishes,

Michael Zaugg

PIVOT Composer Spotlight:

Kalaisan Kalaichelvan

Kalaisan Kalaichelvan is a composer, music producer and classically trained pianist based in Toronto, Canada. His music spans across the screen, dance, theatre, concert and visual media. He is a 2021 Fellow of the Sundance Composers lab and is one of the awarded grantees of the Sundance Institute’s Art of Practice Fellowship. He is currently serving as one of the 2021 Slaight Music residents for the Canadian Film Centre. Named by Ludwig Van as one of “six emerging Canadian composers to keep an eye on”, Kalaisan has had the opportunity to collaborate with various artists and institutions like Nuit Blanche TO, VIFF, Canadian New Music Network, the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and is a proud member of the Screen Composers Guild of Canada.

Kalaisan’s music is defined by its genre-bending boldness, its refined classicism and musical ingenuity. Having worked across various disciplines and communities of thought, Kalaisan seeks to bring together incongruous institutions to build novel structures that reflect his artistic upbringing.

www.kalaisanmusic.com

1 - Major musical influence (either a style or a personality)?

Shostakovich. His string quartets taught me so much about writing.

2 - What is your favourite instrument to write for?

Cello. Such a powerful timbral machine.

3 - Where do you write your music?

In my home studio, by my piano, with a cup of tea.

4 - Would you rather read the book before the movie or after?

Depends on the movie/book. Whatever serves the medium the best.

5 - Are you an early bird or a night owl?

Night owl, all the way.

Join us on Sunday, May 15 at 3PM and be part of the newest trends in Canadian choral music through this collaboration with the Canadian League of Composers and the emerging artist program, PIVOT.

In-person tickets will be available the first week of May.

Watch Online