The Upper Canada Choristers
Under the direction of Laurie Evan Fraser

10th Anniversary Gala Concert

Voices of Earth

Featuring the Fauré Requiem and a newly commissioned work by Stephen Chatman

With special guests:

Mark Ruhnke, baritone

Talisker Players, Canada's only professional orchestra
dedicated to the performance of choral repertoire

The Davisville Chamber Choir
under the direction of Alison Bannerman

Friday, May 14, 2003 at 8:00 p.m.

Eglinton - St. George's United Church
35 Lytton Boulevard

Supported by a grant from the Toronto Arts Council
that supports and encourages professional Canadian musicians and
creates opportunities for music students to grow and hone their skills:

10th Anniversary Press Release

UPPER CANADA CHORISTERS CELEBRATE 10TH ANNIVERSARY MAY 14 WITH FAURE REQUIEM & PREMIERE OF CHATMAN WORK

The Upper Canada Choristers, led by Founding Artistic Director Laurie Evan Fraser, celebrate their 10th anniversary Friday, May 14, 2004, 8 p.m. at Eglinton-St. George's United Church, 35 Lytton Boulevard (west of Yonge St., between Eglinton and Lawrence).

Highlight is the world premiere of the choir's first commissioned work, Voices of Earth by Stephen Chatman. The Vancouver composer is well known for his melodic choral compositions, which have been performed internationally. He is coming to Toronto to work with the choir and to attend the premieres of his music by two other Toronto choirs.

Written to poems of Archibald Lampman, Chatman's work is in three movements - The Bird and the Hour, Snow, and Voices of Earth. The work has been scored for SA(T)B choir and piano; one movement is a capella.

Also on the program is the transcendent Fauré Requiem, with the Davisville Public School Chamber Choir (Alison Bannerman, director), and the Talisker Players. The school choir has been invited as part of the Choristers' commitment to music education and mentorship.

Rounding out the program are old favourites from the past decade, and the choir's signature song, The Music's Always There with You by John Rutter. The Davisville Choir will also be singing and signing the song Can You Hear Me? by former Kings Singers member Bob Chilcott. The Davisville Public School and Metro Toronto School for the Deaf are housed in the same facility and are "twinned schools."

The Upper Canada Choristers and conductor Laurie Evan Fraser celebrate their 10th anniversary in a Gala Concert with the Davisville Public School Chamber Choir and the Talisker Players as special guests, Friday, May 14, 8 p.m. at Eglinton-St. George's United Church, 35 Lytton Boulevard. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door; $10 for children. The "Bring a teen" program allows free admittance for a teen accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets and information may be obtained by phoning (416) 256-0510, visiting this web site, and e-mailing choir@web.net.

The Upper Canada Choristers gratefully acknowledge the support of the Toronto Arts Council.

Special Thanks to our Guest Artists and Volunteers ...

Mark Ruhnke, baritone

The Talisker Players

The Davisville Chamber  Choir under the direction of Alison Bannerman

Accompanist: Ayako Ochi

Mask Coordinator: Diana Hamer
Publicity: Linda Litwack
Front of House Manger: Louis Lizotte
Tickets and Program: Otto Pierre
Event Planner and Pre-Concert Reception: Mary Richardson
Zizi Trattoria

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