Sunday April 13th 2pm
Mary Street Centre (St. James United Church) 24 Mary Street, Parry Sound
Artistic Director: Brenda Margaret Muller
Guest Conductor: Joshua Wood
Guest Vocalists: Amy Dodington, Soprano, Alexandra Teske, Soprano, Celine Cascanette, Alto, Fabian Arciniegas, Tenor, Stan Hunter, Bass
Guest Artists: Veda Hingert-McDonald, Violin, Rae Gallimore, Viola
SPRING FIRE, the third concert of Whispering River Music’s concert series, features works that celebrate the transformative relationship between spiritual fire and community. George Frederic Handel’s grand “Music for the Royal Fireworks” and the exuberant “Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola, and Orchestra” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is followed by a premiere of Canadian composer Carol Ann Weaver’s “Kalahari Ode”. This commissioned work for choir and strings, lauding the desert and its inhabitants, is a vital tribute to the sun in all its glory, and the savagely beautiful ways in which it creates and sustains the desert.
The featured work for this programme is the famed “Magnificat” by Johann Sebastian Bach. Conducted by guest conductor Joshua Wood, conductor of the North Bay Symphony, this joyful setting of Mary’s Canticle (Song of Mary) is a meditation by Mary on the upcoming birth of her child. This celebrated masterwork, set for five vocal soloists, choir and strings, is exquisitely balanced, and a favourite of choirs and orchestras around the world. This year marks J.S. Bach’s 340th birthday!
The guest soloists, all either local, and/or long term clinicans for WRM, are Amy Dodington , Soprano (Port Carling), Alexandra Teske, Soprano (Orillia), Celine Cascanette, Alto (Parry Sound), Fabian Arcineagas, Tenor (Colburg, staff clinician) and Stan Hunter, Bass (Port Carling). The choir for this concert has been accompanied by Orrville’s own Len Ballantine, conductor of Parry Sound Singers, and incorporates many of our local professional musicians.
Mozart’s “Sinfonia Concertante” features two vibrant young artists: Veda Hingert-McDonald, Violin, and Rae Gallimore, Viola, performing the first movement of this fiery and much loved work for two soloists and orchestra. Veda is WRM’s faculty violin teacher, and this season’s concertmaster, and, along with Alex Rose-Andrews, principal violist, makes up WRM’s upper-strings teaching team! Rae, a graduate of Julliard School of Music, is from Toronto where she also works as a comedian!
Whispering River Orchestra and Chorus comprises local community members from the Greater Parry Sound Area, as well as Huntsville and Magnetewan. Come see your neighbours and friends perform!
“I love the power of music. It instantly evokes emotions and connections, and I consider it magical. WRO has made it possible for me to play small (sometimes challenging!) part in sharing this magic with others. I can’t think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than at an orchestra rehearsal!” says Louise Nicksy, longtime member of Whispering River Orchestra, as she prepares for this concert.
Whispering River Orchestra and Chorus welcomes new participants into their musical community by offering locals of all ages opportunities to make new friends by joining the orchestra, participating in learn-to-play classes, singing in the choir, and much more!
Tickets on sale now at
https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/whispering-river-orchestra-and-choru-presents-spring-fire or purchase at the door. $25 for Adults, $20 for Youth and Seniors, or Pay-What-You-Can. Free for Children 12 years old and under.
About Whispering River Music
Whispering River Music is both an ONCA compliant Ontario Not for Profit and a Federally Registered Canadian Charity. The organization was founded in 1987 previously known as Ardeleana Chamber Music Society. W.R.M. serves the whole community regardless of a person’s skill-level, financial availability, or experience. W.R.M. believes that music fosters life-long learning, true friendships, real communities, and good mental health. Through local partnership and support, Whispering River Music
continues to flourish, do things differently, and maintains a commitment not just to excellence, but to kindness, accessibility, and fun.