2008 - 2009 Season

September, 2008 - Press release: Vancouver Cantata Singers to Represent Canada
in 2009 Let the Peoples Sing Euroradio Choral Competition

      The Vancouver Cantata Singers have been invited by CBC Radio to represent Canada in the Adult Choruses category of the Let the Peoples Sing Euroradio Choral Competition. This biennial international competition brings together many different countries and traditions of choral music. The semi-finals take place in January of 2009, and ensembles chosen to proceed to the finals will sing as part of the live finals broadcast on October 18, 2009.

      The Let the Peoples Sing Euroradio Choral Competition was started in 1966, and is organized every two years under the auspices of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). In 2009, the host organization will be Norwegian Radio (NRK). The competition is open to amateur choruses, and is judged by an international jury of choral experts. Selected finalists perform live at the finals or via satellite from their hometown, and the winners of the different categories are announced during this exciting broadcast.

Results: (January 2009) The Vancouver Cantata Singers were not selected as one of the finalists for the October, 2009 broadcast.  Our congratulations to the adult choir finalists:
   Austria: Wiener Kammerchor (mixed)
   Germany: Camerata Musica Limburger (men's chamber choir)
   Finland: Philomela (women's choir)
   Latvia: Sõla - Mixed Choir of the Latvian Academy of Culture (mixed)
   Norway: Nova Chamber Choir, conductor Anne Karin Sundal-Ask (mixed)

Special congratulations to the Hamilton Childrens Choir, finalist at this competition in the Childrens Choir category.

2008 - 2009 Season Summary

Download the Vancouver Cantata Singers 2008-2009 Season Brochure (pdf file)

October 17 and October 18 at Ryerson United Church

Video Games Live: with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

Video Games Live took place on Wednesday, October 29 at the Orpheum Theatre packed full with video game fans, contests, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, giant-screen video presentations, light show magic, a smoke machine, CO2 rockets, a rock band, and the Vancouver Cantata Singers.  What more could one ask for?

November 1 at Hycroft Manor   See more...

December 12 and December 13 with Vancouver Chamber Choir at the Orpheum Theatre

December 20 at Holy Rosary Cathedral, Vancouver
December 21 at St. James Anglican, Vancouver

February 13 with I Tromboni at Holy Rosary Cathedral

With Dancers Dancing, part of the Vancouver International Dance Festival
March 17, 18, and 19 at the Roundhouse

Friday, October 17 at 8:00pm
and Saturday, October 18 at 8:00pm
Ryerson United Church
Music for choir and marimba, featuring
percussionist Anne-Julie Caron

Anne-Julie Caron, one of the most sought after percussionists in the country, has become well known for her unique flair, stylish brilliance and polished sound. On October 17th & 18th she joined the Vancouver Cantata Singers for two evenings of spirited music for marimba and choir. Highlights included Everlasting Light by Christos Hatzis, Street Songs by Steve Martland, and a newly commissioned work, Fireflies, by local composer and Cantata Singers choir member, Kris Fulton. Composer Christos Hatzis joined the Vancouver Cantata Singers for a special pre-concert talk at 7:15pm on Saturday, October 18. Christos Hatzis was also a keynote speaker with the Verge Arts Series conference that took place at Trinity Western University from October 16-18.

"ravishingly beautiful" (L. Dykk, Vancouver Sun)

"I would like to take my turn to thank everyone for the wonderful experience of last Friday and Saturday. Amazing performances and wonderful pieces. I was already a big fan of Oleksa's piece and now I can add "Fireflies" to my list of favourite choral works. Anne-Julie...I don't know what to say...you are amazing! Eric and choir and Everlasting Light soloists and crystal glass players a big THANK YOU for bringing off this piece so beautifully. I am so glad I happened to be in Vancouver and not miss this wonderful concert.
 All my best wishes,  Christos Hatzis"
 www.hatzis.com

Review: click here for pdf of review by L. Dykk, Vancouver Sun, October 20, 2008

Vancouver’s Christmas favourite presented by the Vancouver Chamber Choir
Friday, December 12th at 8:00pm & Saturday, December 13th at Orpheum Theatre

This holiday season, the Vancouver Cantata Singers joined the Vancouver Chamber Choir and the Vancouver Chamber Orchestra for a thrilling performance of Handel’s Messiah - our city's perennial Christmas favourite. This event  featured the talents of soloists Shannon Mercer, soprano; Robin Blaze, countertenor; Frédéric Antoun, tenor; Joshua Hopkins, bass; and special guest conductor Bernard Labadie of Quebec’s Les Violons du Roy. From Lloyd Dykk's Vancouver Sun review: "The choirs, totaling about 50 singers, sang with such precision that you'd never think they were two separate entities. Balances were very fine and their part work, as in the fugues, stayed right on track." Read the full review here.