{"id":2337507,"date":"2026-03-19T20:12:16","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T20:12:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2337507"},"modified":"2026-03-19T20:12:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T20:12:16","slug":"winnipeg-singers-spotlight-the-future-of-choral-music","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/winnipeg-singers-spotlight-the-future-of-choral-music\/","title":{"rendered":"Winnipeg Singers spotlight the future of choral music"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>      <!-- Body --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Coming up this Sunday, March 22nd at 3 p.m<\/strong>. at the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wag.ca\/about\/qaumajuq\/\"><strong>WAG-Qaumajuq,<\/strong><\/a> the<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.winnipegsingers.com\/\"><strong> Winnipeg Singers<\/strong><\/a> present\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.winnipegsingers.com\/concerts\"><em><strong>Voices of a New Generation<\/strong><\/em><\/a>, a concert dedicated to\u00a0showcasing\u00a0the evolving landscape of contemporary choral music. With a program featuring eleven works; nine by Canadian composers. The performance promises to highlight both innovation and national pride in equal measure.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"jeg_video_container jeg_video_content\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Winnipeg Singers present Voices of a New Generation, celebrating bold new choral voices\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/r0K8_L4-Itw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>The\u00a0concert \u201cshines a spotlight on the future of choral music,\u201d offering audiences a chance to experience the fresh perspectives and bold artistic voices shaping the genre today. The choir will perform works by composers such as<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kathleenallan.com\/\"><strong> Kathleen Allan<\/strong><\/a>, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/composermatthewemery.com\/\"><strong>Matthew Emery<\/strong><\/a>, and <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nicholasmamusic.com\/\"><strong>Nicholas Ma,<\/strong><\/a> among many others, in a program that spans a wide emotional and stylistic range, from \u201clush, expressive harmonies\u201d to \u201cstriking experimental textures and deeply resonant texts.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Narrator <strong>Muriel Smith <\/strong>joins the ensemble and conductor <strong>Yuri\u00a0Klaz<\/strong>\u00a0to guide audiences through the program, offering context and insight into each work. Speaking about the vision behind the concert, she explains, \u201cI think the program committee\u00a0is looking at the direction Canadian choral music is going, and not just Canadian, but choral music [in general]. I have a sense, because we have a lot of Canadian composers on there,\u00a0we&#8217;re\u00a0kind of looking&#8230; at where\u00a0we&#8217;re\u00a0going, and\u00a0we&#8217;re\u00a0kind of feeling\u00a0perhaps even\u00a0a bit proud of\u00a0who&#8217;s\u00a0up and coming,\u00a0for\u00a0the future.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 lang=\"EN-US\">The role of the narrator\u00a0<\/h3>\n<p>While some choral concerts rely purely on music,\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.winnipegsingers.com\/concerts\"><em><strong>Voices of a New Generation\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/a>incorporates a spoken element designed to deepen the audience\u2019s connection to the repertoire. Smith\u2019s role is not to tell a continuous story, but rather to illuminate the works and their creators.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s not really a narrative, but I do introduce the composers and the perspectives on their music,\u201d she explains. \u201cI think that the whole point of the, I guess\u00a0it&#8217;s\u00a0a narrative, a narrative this time is to bring forth these exciting voices.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Smith\u2019s academic background (she holds a Ph.D. in musicology from York University in the UK and is the author of\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/classic107.com\/articles\/100-years-of-music-education-in-manitoba-musicologist-and-author-muriel-smith-talks-about-her-book-a-century-of-sound-connections\"><strong>A Century of Sound Connections: The Manitoba Registered Music Teachers\u2019 Association 1919-2019<\/strong><\/a>) makes\u00a0her particularly well-suited to the task. Although she was not involved in selecting the repertoire, she embraced the opportunity to research it. \u201cI&#8217;m sad to say I didn&#8217;t\u00a0[pick the music], but boy, I&#8217;m glad they picked them because I had a field day looking up information on these people.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned=\"\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DV7f5nADPQ0\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 lang=\"EN-US\">Lyrical beauty and musical craft\u00a0<\/h3>\n<p>Among the standout works on the program are compositions by Kathleen Allen and Matthew Emery, both of whom exemplify the richness and accessibility of contemporary choral writing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Smith speaks enthusiastically about Allen\u2019s <strong>&#8220;Stars&#8221;<\/strong>. \u201cIt&#8217;s\u00a0like\u00a0has\u00a0a kind of a\u00a0calm essence to it. And it flows in and out of dissonance and consonance.\u00a0It leaves us in\u00a0a kind of a\u00a0space where\u00a0we&#8217;re\u00a0just hanging in space.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>She highlighted Allen\u2019s sensitivity to text setting, noting, \u201cWhat I love about what\u00a0she&#8217;s\u00a0doing\u00a0is\u00a0she&#8217;s\u00a0using the language, the rhythm of the poetry. She creates her musical rhythm that way. It really matches super, super well.\u201d One particularly striking moment comes when, \u201cthe words are, &#8216;Hang\u00a0jewel upon a silver thread,&#8217;\u201d where the music rises and suspends the listener. \u201cShe\u00a0doesn&#8217;t\u00a0leave us hanging. She leaves us just in the air, floating.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Matthew Emery\u2019s\u00a0<em><strong>Misa Brevis Boreal<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0offers a different but equally compelling experience. \u201cHe&#8217;s using the traditional mass, except he uses three parts,\u00a0the Kyrie, the Sanctus, and the Agnus Dei,\u201d Smith explains. \u201cAnd each of them sits really comfortably with us.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>She described the piece as\u00a0highly accessible: \u201cI\u00a0don&#8217;t\u00a0find it takes us to\u00a0great places\u00a0one way or another, but it makes us feel comfortable,\u00a0really comfortable. It&#8217;s\u00a0accessible for everybody, which is great.\u201d Each movement has its own character, from the gently unfolding Kyrie to the rhythmically engaging Sanctus, where \u201cthe altos and the basses are just playing with this rhythm back and forth.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 lang=\"EN-US\">Experimentation and imagination\u00a0<\/h3>\n<p>The concert also embraces more adventurous territory, particularly in works that explore unconventional sounds and ideas. <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.katerinagimon.com\/\"><strong>Katerina Gimon\u2019<\/strong><\/a>s <strong>&#8220;To\u00a0the Peak of the Mountain&#8221;<\/strong>\u00a0is one such piece, filled with vivid textures and dramatic momentum.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat piece brings in a lot of different sounds and textures,\u201d Smith says. \u201cThat whole song\u00a0actually is&#8230;\u00a0it&#8217;s\u00a0driving.\u00a0It&#8217;s\u00a0driving to a climax, which is at the end.\u201d The choir is called upon to create atmospheric effects: \u201cThe choir gets to do bird sounds and wind sounds and, some rustling leaf sounds.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As the piece unfolds, it builds intensity through rhythm and pitch. \u201cThere&#8217;s drums and the drums drive us forward the whole way&#8230; the\u00a0pitch rises, rises, rises, right to the end, to the peak of the mountain.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In contrast, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.andrearamsey.com\/\"><strong>Andrea Ramsey<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s <strong>&#8220;Imaginary Creatures&#8221;<\/strong>\u00a0offers a lighter, more playful experience. Based on texts written by children, the work captures a sense of spontaneity and surprise. \u201cThis one I was not expecting&#8230;\u00a0it&#8217;s five, five little pieces written by children\u00a0age\u00a0five to eight,\u201d Smith noted. \u201cAnd they are honest. Kids are honest.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The result is unpredictable and delightful: \u201cThey will make you laugh. You will think, &#8216;Oh, here we are.\u00a0We&#8217;re\u00a0going to go along and along. And\u00a0it&#8217;s\u00a0like,\u00a0we&#8217;ve\u00a0got like 18 bars. Is it done?&#8217; It&#8217;s\u00a0going to be loads of fun.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 lang=\"EN-US\">Technology, tradition, and takeaways\u00a0<\/h3>\n<p>One of the most thought-provoking works on the program is <strong>Nicholas Ma<\/strong>\u2019s\u00a0<em><strong>Human Touch<\/strong><\/em>, which grapples with the role of artificial intelligence in artistic creation. In a striking twist, the text itself was generated using AI.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNicholas Ma has said basically that the significance of this piece is how AI is going to influence us as humans in the technological age,\u201d Smith explains. \u201cIt is an ironic twist that he used ChatGPT to create the text.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The piece builds toward a powerful climax: &#8220;It keeps moving\u00a0faster and faster and faster, so the text just shatters into French, Latin, Italian, and German.\u201d The effect raises profound questions about communication and human identity. &#8220;It&#8217;s questioning whether we are echoing the ancient fable of the Tower of Babel.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned=\"\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DVzzN8vDQDf\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, the program\u00a0remains\u00a0grounded in local and historical traditions. The inclusion of <strong>&#8220;Bonny Portsmore&#8221;<\/strong>, arranged by Winnipeg educators <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/cypresschoral.com\/composers\/philip-lapatha\/\"><strong>Philip Lapatha<\/strong><\/a> and <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/cypresschoral.com\/composers\/dorothy-dyck\/\"><strong>Dorothy Dyck<\/strong><\/a>, reflects a commitment to community and continuity. As Smith notes, \u201cI think the Winnipeg Singers and other Winnipeg choirs like to put forward their own, right?\u201d She added that the piece is \u201cpart of this lovely long line of a tradition that teachers write for their students.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately,\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.winnipegsingers.com\/concerts\"><em><strong>Voices of a New Generation<\/strong><\/em><\/a>\u00a0is about more than just new music, it\u2019s about the vitality of choral art as a whole.\u00a0Smith hopes audiences leave inspired: \u201cWell, I hope that they take away this sense that the choral music in Canada is flourishing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>She continued, \u201cIt&#8217;s taking us in new directions\u2026 it&#8217;s establishing, or continuing to establish, I guess, that we, as Canadians, have a really, really strong choral tradition.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I hope they go away with a hop and a skip in their step and a smile on their face and lightness in their heart.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.winnipegsingers.com\/concerts\"><strong><em>Voices of a New Generation<\/em>\u00a0takes place this Sunday, March 22 at 3 p.m.<\/strong><\/a> at the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wag.ca\/about\/qaumajuq\/\"><strong>WAG-Qaumajuq<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>      <!-- Audio --><\/p>\n<p>      <!-- Video --><\/p>\n<p>      <!-- Gallery --><\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source classic107.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Coming up this Sunday, March 22nd at 3 p.m. at the WAG-Qaumajuq, the Winnipeg Singers present\u00a0Voices of a New Generation, a concert dedicated to\u00a0showcasing\u00a0the evolving landscape of contemporary choral music. With a program featuring eleven works; nine by Canadian composers. The performance promises to highlight both innovation and national pride in equal measure.\u00a0 The\u00a0concert \u201cshines [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2337508,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25179],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2337507","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-music"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Winnipeg-Singers-spotlight-the-future-of-choral-music.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2337507","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2337507"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2337507\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2337509,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2337507\/revisions\/2337509"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2337508"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2337507"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2337507"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2337507"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}