This January, the women’s choral ensemble Sirens will deliver two performances of Songs of the Sea. The first concert will take place on Friday, January 16^th, 7:30pm at the Steel Recital Hall as part of the UPEI Music Department Recital Series. Trinity United Church in Summerside will host the second performance on Sunday, January 18^th,, 7:30pm.

Songs of the Sea includes repertoire that combines themes of loss, remembrance, purification, mythology and folklore. During the first half of the program, Sirens will guide its audience through the loss of a loved one at sea – from departure to death, through grief to acceptance, haunting harmonies and seamless movement will create a stirring set. The second portion of the concert examines the role of the sea as a source of purification and rebirth, while exploring its unknown depths.

Repertoire will include works by contemporary and classical composers. Featured are beautiful settings of Christina Rossetti texts by Steven Chatman, Allan Bevan, and Eleanor Daley. Arrangements of well-known spirituals and folksongs include Wade in the Water and Frobisher Bay. Classical works to be performed are Lili Boulanger’s Les Sirènes, Gustav Holst’s Hymn to the Waters, and Samuel Barber’s To Be Sung on the Water. Sirens will be joined by pianist Stephanie Cole for several pieces.

Get Tickets!

January 16^th, 7:30pm; Steel Recital Hall, UPEI; Charlottetown – Buy online or over the phone (902) 566-0507, $15/10 for seniors and students

January 18^th, 7:30pm; Trinity United Church; Summerside – Tickets available at the Trinity United Church office, $15/10 for seniors and students

• Tickets for both shows may be purchased at the door

To arrange an interview, or for more information, please contact Andrea Ellis.

For on November 12, the Royal Canadian College of Organists will be hosting one of the country’s national treasures, the Elmer Iseler Singers, as they come to Charlottetown during their Maritime concert tour to perform for one night only in St. Dunstan’s Basilica.

The 20 member choral ensemble hails from Toronto, and was formed by the eminent choral conductor Elmer Iseler in 1979. Working with this group, Iseler was able to achieve a choral sound and technique that set a benchmark to which other choirs have aspired, and the group has gone on to be recognized as one of the finest choral groups in Canada. Their sonic artistry is evident through their many broadcast performances and recordings.

Award winning director Lydia Adams took over the baton after Elmer passed away in 1998, and has since striven to continue the tradition of choral excellence established by Iseler. However, her passion for inspiring others extends beyond the Iseler Singers to choristers around the world. In fact, one of the truly exciting features of the the concert is that choristers from across the Island are invited to sit alongside the ensemble in a special free workshop rehearsal prior to the performance, during which time they will be taught a set of pieces to be performed during the concert’s finale. The chance to learn from this esteemed director and sing with a choir of such calibre is an opportunity that comes by rarely. Those interested in participating in this workshop should contact Ann or Leo (see below) so that adequate copies of the repertoire are prepared. The workshop selections are:

O Quantum Qualia – Healey Willan
All Creatures of Our God and King – Gustav Holst
The Island Hymn

The workshop will run 4:30-6:00pm.

The concert takes place Wednesday November 12 at 7:30 PM. Tickets for this event are $20 for adults, $15 for students, and $10 for children aged 12 and under and are available online:

 Tickets here!

Tickets may also be acquired directly through members of the RCCO (contacts Ann Francis at 902-367-2850 and Leo Marchildon at 902-894-3486, ext.4), or through the Basilica parish office during regular business hours 9 – 4 pm. Those wishing to participate in the workshop should also contact Ann or Leo to register.