What a resounding success this concert was! Beginning with Eleanor Daley’s “Salutation of the Dawn”, described by one audience member as ‘absolutely spiritual and prayerful’ (with guest soloist Rayna Crandlemire, soprano supported by the choir singing throughout the hall) the program moved through the themes of “Our Mother; Our Earth”, “Our Relationship with Mother Earth”, “A Planet Threatened” and “Hope for the Future”. Several audience members were moved to tears! Some of their favourites were:
- “Evening Gale” by Antonio Bernarducci for choir, piano, cello and percussion ensemble
- “Okâwîmâw Askiy”, by Canadian Cree Dene composer Sheryll Sewepagaham, accompanied by energetic body percussion
- Mark Sirett’s “Voices of Earth” performed by the Chamber Choir with viola soloist, Woosol Cho
- This We Know, also by the Chamber Choir, based on a text from Chief Seattle.
- The Awakening, (Joseph Martin) powerfully sung in 4 parts by our tenors and basses
- And ending with the powerful “Earth Songs” by Canadian Stephen Chatman for piano, strings and percussion ensemble.