Aeolian Singers Opens 45th Anniversary with Veritas: Seeking Truth, Sharing Wisdom

By pwalt | November 4, 2020 |

The Aeolian Singers under the direction of Heather Fraser, opens their 2020-21 season in a celebration of their 45th anniversary with a program of new music by three Canadian women composers. Commissioned with funding from Arts Nova Scotia, their ambitious Veritas: Seeking Truth, Sharing Wisdom program will be split across three different concerts, including a collaborative demonstration led by the composers, giving audience members a deeper connection to the new works.

The pandemic has made live performances more difficult, so this is a unique opportunity to hear choral music in person. COVID-19 protection protocols will be observed at the in-person performances. Limited tickets are available for purchase online (audience capacity is 50) through the choir’s website and in person from choir members. ($20 in person, $10 online for each individual concert/event, or $55 in person and $25 online for all three).

The three commissioned composers are Frances Farrell (Nova Scotia), Marie-Claire Saindon (Quebec) and Carmen Braden (Northwest Territories), with events on Saturday, November 14, (7:00 p.m.) Sunday, November 29 (4:00 p.m.) and Sunday, December 13 (4:00 p.m.). All events are available virtually on Zoom, and in person at St. Andrew’s Church (6036 Coburg Road, Halifax).

The theme of the commissions is “truth,” coming from the Latin word veritas. The project embodies just how widely the truth is open to interpretation; the Aeolians are using new choral music to examine what it takes to confront the many webs of deception and darkness present in our contemporary society and culture. Each composer has interpreted this theme differently. Frances Farrell draws inspiration from the rose as a symbol of truth for A Rose by Any Other Name. Marie-Claire Saindon examines truth in the era of fake news, anti-vaxxers and prominent politicians in her piece, Flat Earth, with words written by Franco-Ontarian poet, Paul Ruban. Carmen Braden challenges us to experience truth through the eyes of a child, with ever-evolving memories and impressions in her composition, Aviva Swims.

Each event will feature a unique world premiere of the commissioned work and include a collaborative demonstration led by its corresponding composer, giving audience members the chance to develop a deeper connection to this creative choral experience. The featured composer will also give a presentation on an aspect of their craft. Fran Farrell’s choral demonstration on November 14 is titled “Channeling Your Inner Composer: Circle Singing.” She’ll explore communal singing with the choir in this fun, fluid opportunity to flex their composer muscles. Fran Farrell will join in person at the concert, while the other composers will join virtually on November 29 and December 13.

The choir is also presenting a Composer Workshop over Zoom for emerging/student composers with all three composers on Sunday, November 15 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Topics include building a choral season, the business of composition and the best ways to spend rehearsal time with new works. University music departments can involve their students for $75; individual composers can participate for $15.

This is the choir’s fourth season under the artistic leadership of Nova Scotia native, Heather Fraser. She maintains an active career as a choral conductor, music educator and collaborative pianist in Nova Scotia. Heather is the Artistic Director of the Annapolis Valley Honour Choir and the Aeolian Singers, and is active on the Board of Choral Canada. A music specialist with the Halifax Regional Centre for Education, Heather was Apprentice Conductor of the National Youth Choir and was the first conductor in Pro Coro Canada’s emerging artist program. She was also a Conducting Fellow with the Canadian Chamber Choir.

Collaborative pianist Mary Castello is the Staff Accompanist for the School of Music at Acadia University and accompanist for the Aeolians. She is a member of the Manning Chapel Choir and has received opera training in Canada and Europe. Mary also has a private teaching studio. She holds an MMus in Collaborative Piano Performance from McGill University.

The concerts and commissions are supported by Arts Nova Scotia, the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage, the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women, and private donors.

Now in their 45th season, the Aeolian Singers takes listeners on a captivating journey with the unequalled sound of vibrant upper voices. The creative programming by Artistic Director Heather Fraser consists of largely contemporary repertoire, with a focus on Canadian female composers, and touching on current issues and events. Founded in 1976 under director Claire Wall as a program of Dartmouth Continuing Education, the Aeolian Singers has established an enviable reputation for fine choral singing, touring the UK, Europe and many parts of Canada. The choir has received top honours at multiple music festivals, performed with Symphony Nova Scotia and commissioned many new works for women’s voices. They have collaborated with singer/songwriters, local musicians, dancers and storytellers, and partnered with arts, health and social justice organizations over their 45 years. The choir has made recordings and appeared on CBC and other media, and was also directed by Janet Gaskin and Jacqueline Chambers over its history. Returning to its Dartmouth roots, the choir will perform for the Dartmouth Community concert Association in the spring of 2021.

Stay up to date by joining the choir’s mailing list, or visit them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. New singers are always welcome to audition; visit the choir’s website, www.aeoliansingers.ca to learn more.