We turned our guest Artistic Director loose on the spring concert repertoire (and you're going to love it).
The Canadian choral landscape is as diverse and beautiful as the country itself, and Joel Tranquilla has been from coast to coast, collaborating with some of the best choirs and composers the nation has to offer. For our spring concert 2026, Joel has put together a program that reflects these experiences, and celebrates the myriad and innovative ways Canadian music is not only grounded in the tapestry of its culture and geography, but responds in kind to the rich choral traditions of the world at large.
The Composers
Here are some insights into the Canadian musicians we'll be highlighting in May.
Click or tap the composer photo for more information.
Noted for colorful orchestration, expressive vocal writing, and cross-disciplinary collaborations across Canada, Albertan Tawnie Olson's compositions have been performed on five continents, and she has been commissioned by, and had her work performed by the likes of Tafelmusik and The Crossing.
We'll be singing:
O Inexpressible Mystery
Edward Enman
A Nova Scotian, Enman likes to put the text at the centre of his choral compositions, and often follows natural speech rhythms. His extended tonal harmonies, and gently resolved dissonances sit comfortably in the vocal range, allowing performers to take advantage of his meditative pacing and dynamic arcs.
We'll be singing:
Time's Small Space
Katerina Gimon
Burlington born, BC-based Katerina Gimon is best known for her innovative use of vocal techniques, and combining contemporary classical style with popular genres. A founding member of the experimental group Chroma, her work focuses on environmental sustainability and human emotion.
We'll be singing:
Take This Thread
David Squires
Deeply rooted in sacred music, and choral traditions, BC-based Professor David Squires's lush, melodic style and evocative harmonies make his compositions accessible to both amateur and professional ensembles, as well as audiences, and have been performed internationally.
We'll be singing:
Sanctuary
Ed Robertson
Anyone familiar with The Barenaked Ladies recognizes the choral qualities of their vocal arrangements, so it's small wonder that Ed Robertson's songs lend themselves well to the genre (as so many school, community and pub choirs across the country can attest to). And BNL are about as Canadian as you can get.
We'll be singing:
When You Dream
Sherryl Sewepagaham
Cree singer-songwriter and Alberta elementary school teacher Sherryl Sewepagaham's choral compositions integrate the Cree language into contemporary and traditional music forms, and have been performed by musica intima, the Canadian Chamber Choir and ProCoro Canada,
We'll be singing:
okâwîmâw askîy (Mother Earth)
Nicholas Ryan Kelly
New York born, now Canadian citizen Nicholas Kelly is noted for blending film score-inspired, story-driven "cinematic drama with emotional honesty." Rooted in classical traditions, Kelly's musical and thematic approach has been described as "punk rock in spirit."
We'll be singing:
A World That Shimmers
Colin Eatock
...my music is a chromatically fluid continuum of tonalities: it’s more about the journey than the destination. Sometimes, my music may seem to settle into a key-centre for a few bars, but it’s not long before it wanders off in a different direction."
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- Colin Eatock
We'll be singing:
Out Of My Deeper Heart
Douglas Vipond
We're excited to bring you a new work from Fredericton's own Douglas Vipond. Chorister, arranger, and woodwind generalist, Doug's foray into composition has resulted in a growing catalogue of accomplished works, performed across the region by the likes of the Halifax Camerata Singers, the Mount Allison Symphonic Band, and Ventus Machina.
We'll be singing:
In Her Long Loneliness
