CHOR LEONI – ERICK LICHTE CONDUCTOR | TINA CHANG, PIANO | VIVIAN CHEN, HARP | CAMERON WILSON, VIOLIN | KEITH SINCLAIR, GUITAR
Escape the holiday hustle and bustle at one of Vancouver’s most popular Christmas events, in one of the city’s most iconic venues. Bask in enveloping acoustics, soaring architecture, and stunning visuals as you hear both new and familiar songs of the season accompanied by piano, harp, and violin. Bring friends and family and make Christmas with Chor Leoni a part of your holiday tradition.
Tickets from $20-$75
35 and Under Ticket Pricing Available.
The colours and sounds of the season served up as only Chor Leoni can. Celebrate the holidays immersed in the sound of Vancouver’s singing lions.
Born in Taiwan, Vivian Chen first encountered the harp on a family trip to Vancouver, a city which later became her home. Vivian is a student of Heidi Krutzen. She graduated first place from the UBC School of Music, and later completed her Master of Music in Harp Performance degree with full scholarship. Passionate about creating with others, Vivian plays a variety of musical genres with different ensembles, including the Vancouver Opera, Elektra Women’s Choir, and her own chamber group - the Elysian Trio. Recently, she was proud to bring Canadian Music back to Taiwan, and performed Caroline Lizotte's "Suite Galactique for solo harp" in one of Taiwan's best performing halls, the Taiwan National Theater. Vivian also performed both solo and chamber pieces in the Formosa New Wave concert at the 13th World Harp Congress in Hong Kong.
Described as a "scintillating player" (Opera Wire) whose "...pianism was a wonder," (Opera Canada), pianist and coach Tina Chang is currently on the music staff at Vancouver Opera, and recently at Wexford Festival Opera in Ireland. Based in Vancouver, she has been involved with various arts organizations, including Arts Club Theatre, Chor Leoni, Sound the Alarm Music Theatre, City Opera, and Against the Grain Theatre. She holds her own private studio, and has held adjunct positions at University of British Columbia and Dalhousie University. Find out more about Tina at www.TinaChangPiano.ca.
"The work I’ve composed is called a Midnight Clear. It is based on the actual text of the traditional Xmas Carol “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” but has been rearranged by Erick Lichte to create a story. There are three sections which segue into each to create a single work. These sections are titled “Mystery”, “The Message” and “A Hoedown of Hope”. It is scored for piano, harp, acoustic guitar, percussion, violin and choir. For me, the piece is really about hope. Hope for peace despite the ravages of war and hate. Hope for love and hope and faith for a better future for all people. This resonates so true in today’s world given the horrible recent events in the Middle East. The first section “Mystery” is sparse, beautiful and mysterious. The second section “The Message”, is an original tune set to the traditional lyrics of “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”. The last section “Hoedown of Hope” is a lively fiddle feature bringing the piece to a joyous conclusion reflecting on the power of Hope." Violinist Cameron Wilson has been a fixture on the Vancouver music scene for the past three decades. He is recognized as one of the most versatile violinists, able to play a wide variety of different musical genres. He currently performs with Joe Trio as well as the gypsy jazz quartet, Van Django, The Wahs, Hard Rubber Orchestra, Mariachi del Soul, and the Marc Atkinson Quartet.
The beloved spiritual arrangements and original compositions of William L. Dawson have been celebrated by choirs and audiences since they were first published, and have become among the most widely performed choral works for concert, contest, and festival settings.
"I wrote “Star of Wonder” In the middle of the Night. Woke up from a sound sleep, Heard the Words, And played the notes Into a tape recorder. Listening back, I realized it was the song I’d been trying to write To honor my friend, Joanna Walton, Blown up over Scotland At Christmastime. Every year I get requests From choirs who would like to sing “Star of Wonder.” It’s the little magic song Which has travelled All over the World Peacefully."
Originally co-commissioned by Curtis Ponzi for the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, in honour of his mother, Sylvia Ponzi, this work touches on the idea of the wheel of the year and reminds us of what will come after the end of the season. The frostbite of pain and loss giving way to the flower of hope and renewal. The song ends by giving us permission to move forward from the old traditions that may have beat us down or whose meaning is no longer there in “that which is hollow in faith letting go.”
This classic carol from the British Isles combines the fire of a Celtic jig with a choir of angels. Sometimes the choir is singing ‘call and answer’ and at other times imitating cascading bells – all he while the accompaniment is cooking along with its joyful celtic-drive – great fun!
This work features a suite of three Appalachian carols: "Star in the East", "Rise Up Shepherd", "Judah's Land".
Keith Sinclair has been making music for over 20 years. He is primarily a guitar player and vocalist and has performed as a solo artist and as a sideman with a wide range of local and international artists. His time singing with Chor Leoni has nurtured his love of arranging and his music is now sung by choirs around the world.
A Fantasy of Carols is a meditation and celebration that explores traditional Christmas favourites such as Ding Dong Merrily on High, What Child is This?, O Holy Night, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, and O Come All Ye Faithful. Three fantasy sections feature carols that overlap in a rich tapestry and these sections are followed by a focus on one or two carols that eventually build to a jubilant climax. Audiences will have to listen closely to catch these carols as they weave in and out of non-traditional musical settings. The rare combination of choir, harp, piano, and violin allows for many subtle variations of tone colour that enhance this dreamlike yet festive mood.
©Chor Leoni 2023