FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE •
DECEMBER 21, 2020 •

The Canadian Chamber Choir is inviting music-lovers from around the world to enjoy a free, celebratory New Year’s Eve premiere of Edward Enman’s “Unimagined Light.” This four-minute piece was recorded live from 20 different locations, combining various technological assists that allowed the CCC singers and artistic team to collaborate in real time.

“Despite all of us being so far apart geographically, the singers brought such an intense focus and real desire to capture the essence of this new work,” said CCC artistic director Dr. Julia Davids. “I felt like a piece of me that had sat dormant for a long time had come alive again.”

Enman’s composition was chosen from 17 others submitted as part of a competition launched by the CCC earlier this year. Its goal was to restore many of the collaborative elements that had been stalled due to the pandemic, including the CCC’s hands-on connections with Canadian composers.

“Having Edward with us for the entire process was equal parts reassuring and inspiring,” said Davids. “It can be difficult to feel confident that you’re capturing the composer’s wishes when you’re working through a medium (remote, electronic) that you’ve never used before. The immediacy of his responses and his incredibly affirming approach made it possible for us to move forward with confidence.”

Davids was also encouraged, not to mention pleasantly surprised, by how normal the rehearsal and recording process felt – even over videoconference. On many occasions, the distance could be forgotten altogether.

“A lot of conducting, especially when learning brand new works, is analyzing and processing and prioritizing and problem solving and communicating,” she said. “We got to do all of those things, and have some magical musical moments through Zoom.”

The finished piece will be unveiled on December 31 at 9 pm EST on Zoom, with a brief foray over to YouTube for a screening in high definition. In addition to the premiere itself, the 30-minute event will also feature a pre-show panel with the composer and artists, as well as a look behind the scenes at the processes that brought this performance to life. CCC general manager Andy Rice and singer/arts blogger Sable Chan will host.

“This event is all about positivity moving forward into the new year,” said Davids. “We all know what 2020 has been like for choirs – the abrupt loss of our communities and musical expression, the uncertainty over when and how we’d reclaim any portion of normalcy, and the loss of dear friends and family members to COVID-19. 2021 promises more singing together and a forever-changed consciousness of what it means to be in community.”

In other words, some light – more specifically, “Unimagined Light” – at the end of the tunnel.

To RSVP for this free online event, please click here.