‘Salute’ honours victims of war
SYMPHONY JOINS WITH AREA CHOIRS
The Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra is teaming up with Vox Musica choir, and the Chinook High School Men’s Chorus and Woman’s Chamber Choir, to pay tribute to the century since the First World War, and to those touched by conflicts and peacekeeping missions.
The show Salute, directed by Glenn Klassen and David Mikuliak, was created to represent the different feelings during war times on the front lines, and back home. Classic pieces from Beethoven and Maurice Ravel were selected for this performance, along with the worlds most performed choral piece The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, by Karl Jenkins which will feature 180 performers.
“What is special about this is that it is 2018 which is the centennial of the signing of the peace treaty armistice for the First World War, so we wanted to mark that in some sort of way,” says Melanie Gattiker, Executive Director of Lethbridge Symphony.
“We are doing pieces that all relate back to either conflict or the cost to society, or the sacrifices that people make, so the two first pieces in the first half are orchestra pieces. One was written by Beethoven, and it basically mimics a battle between the French and the British Army’s which is very cool.”
The Salute’s featured performer is Erinn Evdokimoff Roberts who is a mezzo-soprano and holds a Doctor of Music in Voice, Opera Performance and a Master of Music in Opera performance from the University of British Columbia.
The Chinook Women’s Chamber Choir is an ensemble of 32 singers from Grade 10 through 12 who have a good knowledge in singing diverse and challenging literature. The Chinook Men’s Chorus is made up of 24 male singers that tackle three, four and five-part vocal literature, which helps blend the three choirs together.
Unique to this show is the special relationship that has developed from the creation of the show between the symphony and the Lethbridge Vimy Armoury Cadets. Joining them in the performance dedicated to their members will be the Flag Party and Honour Guard.
“We are super excited to have the support of the local cadets and the 21st Independent Field Battary, Vimy Armoury out in Lethbridge,” says Gattiker. “They are going to be bringing in a Flag Party with an Honour Guard for each show and we will have a piper as well. We are trying to do it up right and we are so thrilled for them to join us. The Battery has offered to open their home for a reception after the concert for people to join.”
The Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra, along with the Chinook Men’s Chorus, Chinook Women’s Chamber Choir and the Vox Musica is excited to invite the public to their show of remembrance and respect to those lost in the war. This will be the last performance for Vox Musica under the direction of Glenn Klassen.
The next show for the Lethbridge Symphony will be in February for their Love Notes From The Tropics. For more information on this or coming shows that the symphony has, visit