Symphony concludes 56th season in ‘grand’ style
Organizers are calling it “a celebration of grand proportions.” The Lethbridge
Symphony Orchestra will wrap its 56th season on Monday with a vocal and orchestral spectacular at Southminster United Church.
A salute to Canada’s birthday, the main-series concert will include the world premiere of “Hyacintho Caelum: Sequie for Canada’s 150th,” a fanfare” by Lethbridgebased composer Rolf Boon. As well, two choirs and three featured soloists will present “Hymn of Praise,” Felix Mendelssohn’s unique symphony cantata for orchestra and voice.
And starting it off, a new orchestration of “O Canada.”
“We couldn’t think of a better way to end a successful season than with an homage to our great nation for its milestone birthday,” says symphony association executive director Melanie Gattiker.
And looking ahead, she adds, the occasion will also include a preview of the orchestra’s 2017-18 season.
“We’ve got some very exciting things planned, so we’re really looking forward to that part of the evening.”
Boon, an associate composer of the Canadian Music Centre, is past-chair of the music department at the University of Lethbridge and led the development of its digital audio arts program. He teaches theory, music technology, film music and composition.
His compositions have been heard by audiences from Vancouver and Toronto to Athens, Barcelona, Berlin and Beijing.
Boon’s latest work is intended to celebrate Canada’s rich musical history. The title, he says, refers to southern Alberta’s usually blue skies, while the fanfare illustrates our city’s geography and cultural heritage.
Joining the symphony on “Hymn of Praise” will be the Chinook Chamber Singers and the Vox Musica choir, along with soloists Madison Craig, Erinn Evdokimoff Roberts and Jason Ragan. Last-minute tickets for the 7:30 p.m. event may be available from the symphony office, 403-328-6808 or at the door.
•• • Four days later, the choirs of Southminster United and St. Augustine’s Anglican will welcome a stellar list of guests performing in aid of a school in Nigeria.
Vocalists Juran Greene, Banwo Bamise, Banwo Inumidun and Temi Soboyejo are on the bill, which will also feature a duet by McKade Hogg and Karen Hudson and the LCI Singers, directed by Hudson. The Global Drums are part of the program as well, along with trumpeters Keith Griffioen and Trudy Mason, 12year-old violin prodigy Isabelle Robinson and pianist/vocalist Anna
McBryan.
The African Praise Group Choir and the Freedom House Choir will also perform — all in support of the school being rebuilt through the efforts of former Ogan, Nigeria resident Fola Soboyejo, now living in Lethbridge.
Mary Lee Voort, music director at St. Augustine’s, says the benefit concert is a follow-up to one offered last January.
“The concert was a huge success,” she adds. “We are hoping to repeat that achievement with an even more stellar lineup,” including more of the city’s African-Canadian musicians.
There’s no admission fee for the concert, Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Southminster. But those attending will be asked to contribute what they can to help the children of Ogan.
•• • And this week there’s a third example of how important Southminster remains, in a city with no other acoustically excellent facility downtown.
On Tuesday it’s the venue for a spring concert by Caritas, an adult community-based choir which takes on challenging multi-part selections including contemporary works and music from other cultures. Its accompanist is Sheryl Dyck.
Director Frank Gnandt says the program includes several African pieces as well as new settings of African-American spirituals.
Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. concert will be available at the door.
••• You might want to dig out your walking shoes — and maybe some raingear — to take part in this year’s series of no-charge “Jane’s Walk” events in Lethbridge. The first, starting at 10 a.m. today, will explore the historic London Road area, starting from the park at 7 Avenue and 7 Street South.
The second, at 2 p.m. today, will focus on “Upper Victoria Park,” starting at The Cutting Company on 6 Avenue South.
On Sunday, “the benefits of nature” is the theme for a 2 p.m. walk starting at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre. Then on Saturday, May 13, the parking lot for the Elizabeth Hall Wetlands will be the meeting place for a walk exploring the flora and fauna of a large marsh.
•• • Live entertainment, food, arts and crafts will be offered May 13 as Lethbridge residents celebrate an Asian Heritage Festival. The free, family-friendly event is planned to run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Multicultural centre.
•• • Mid-May also marks the reopening of such major attractions as the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, Fort Whoop-Up, the Birds of Prey Centre in Coaldale and the nearby Gem of the West Museum. This year’s exhibits at the museum will include a look at the early history of the RCMP in southern Alberta.
The grand opening is set for May 13 at 1 p.m., and admission will be free.
•• • And some more musical events in coming days:
Weekly entertainment this month at the Mocha Cabana features Keith Woodrow on May 12 and Leon Barr on May 19, plus a special show May 24 starring
Amos Garrett and Julian Kerr. At the Slice, there’s “Texassippi soul man” Donny Brooks and Lil
Miss Debi tonight, then Larissa Tandy, Amberwood, Outrun the Arrow and Dirti Speshuls on May 9 and Windy City Opry on May 10.
The Lethbridge Folk Club will present Back Porch Swing today, 8 p.m. at the Cave in Lethbridge College.
And the Owl Acoustic Lounge will feature Sam Weber, Drake
Mark and Del Suclo this evening, Shotgun Jimmie with Ariel Sharratt and Mathias Kom on
May 8, and then Kimberley MacGregor, Eliot Thomas, Ryan Phillips and Burning Bridge on May 10.