C h o r a l
Noyer
SATB A CAPPELLA, 4 MINUTES
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Text: "Noyer" by Sabrina Goupil
Language: French "Noyer" (pronounced: nooa-YAY) which means "Drowning" in French, is based on a poem written by Sabrina Goupil while staying along the shores of the Gulf of St. Lawrence in New Brunswick, Canada. The poem depicts, as the poet puts it, the "ocean's revenge", but from the non-traditional perspective of the onlooker as opposed to the victim. The music itself is not inherently mournful, but is rather loosely based on the style of Canadian Maritime folk-song which is conveyed through repeated motifs, open intervals, and vocal embellishments. The piece is also punctuated with contrasting melismatic sections in 7/4 time depicting the waves flowing inwards on the shore and back out into the watery abyss.
Premiered by the Aliro Voices in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 2018 |
Miigwetch
SSAATTBB A CAPPELLA, 7 minutes |
Text: Traditional Ojibwe Prayer
Language: Ojibwe "Miigwetch" is based on a traditional prayer of thanks in the Ojibwe language, and the music searches to explore the spirituality and solemnity through meditative, almost chant-like lines which intertwine and echo each other. Aside from the prayer, the different names of Canada throughout history are also recited in the second choir. Miigwetch was premiered by the DaCapo Chamber Choir of Waterloo, Ontario in 2016.
"Jurors praised not only the composition’s dramatic use of two choirs and interesting use of varied text, but also the respectful way [Miigwetch] honours the indigenous heart of Canada." |
Prayer for Cecilia
SATB a cappella, 5 minutes |
Text: "Tubas cum cytharis", anon. 15th century
Language: Latin "Prayer for Cecilia" is an ode to Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music. It was premiered by LAUDEM Singers in Montreal, Quebec in 2017.
Won first place in LAUDEM 2017 Choral Composition Competition. |
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