TWU Choirs, Orchestra Celebrate Meaning of Easter, Music Of Italy

Series of concerts offer wide range of works as part of TWU’s Festival of the Arts, Media + Culture

This April, ring in the spring with a series of concerts from the talented musicians of Trinity Western University’s School of the Arts, Media + Culture (SAMC).

On April 4, join the choirs of TWU for Journey to the Cross. SAMC’s Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, Chamber Singers, and Masterworks Chorus present a reflective and poignant collection of works to suit the mood of Holy Saturday.

One hundred singers perform pieces from the Renaissance to present day, including 10 Canadian works, two of which are arrangements by Director of Choral Activities Joel Tranquilla, DMA, and one original composition, The Peace of God, by SAMC Dean David Squires, Ph.D. Other highlights include a world premiere of Nyne otpushchayeshi (a setting of the Song of Simeon, Luke 2, in Church Slavonic) by Ontario composer Jeff Enns, and Frank Martin’s Mass for Double Choir.

“The Mass for Double Choir is an exquisitely beautiful work that has become a modern masterwork of the choral repertoire, and one of the most important mass settings of the 20th century,” Tranquilla said.

On April 10 and 11, get a taste of Italy at Italy Amore, featuring the SAMC Orchestra and a guest performance by the award-winning SAMC Piano Trio.

Coached by Heilwig von Koenigsloew, MMus, the trio of violin, cello, and piano will perform Johannes Brahms’ romantic Piano Trio No. 3 in C minorfollowed by Paul Schoenfield’s CaféMusic, a complex and lively blend of classical and jazz.

The SAMC Orchestra performs an Italian opera favourite, Overture to The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini, conducted by a fourth-year Music major, Abbotsford’s Rob Workman.

“The music is light and fun, even comedic,” said Workman. “Filled with dynamic contrasts and a range of exciting themes, there’s never a dull moment.”

The orchestra will also play Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony No. 4, conducted by Jon Thompson, DMA.

The concerts are presented as part of TWU’s Festival of the Arts, Media + Culture with support from Flying Horse Design Studio.

Journey to the Cross is at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 4 at Willoughby Christian Reformed Church (20525 72 Avenue, Langley). Tickets are $15 each or a special family group rate of $30. Students are pay-what-you-can. Get tickets from www.twu.ca/samc or at the door.

Italy Amore is on Friday, April 10 at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church (20097 72nd Avenue, Langley) and on Saturday, April 11 at Peace Lutheran Church (2029 Ware Street, Abbotsford). Both concerts begin at 7:30pm with admission by donation ($10 suggested).

 

Trinity Western University is a Christian University of the arts, sciences, and professions, legislated by British Columbia to serve the public. Recognized for quality, TWU is consistently ranked among the top universities in Canada for Educational Experience by the National Survey of Student Engagement; holds four Canada Research Chairs; wins National Championships in CIS sports; and emphasizes experiential learning to prepare graduates to make a global impact. TWU offers 42 bachelor’s degrees, 17 graduate degrees, and adult degree-completion programs. A vibrant community committed to educating the whole person, TWU has been developing leaders of character and competence for 50 years.