Join us every week, starting March 3, for a new episode of #RepertoireWednesday!
My name is Joel Tranquilla and I’m passionate about great Canadian choral repertoire. I’ve been the Associate Conductor of the Canadian Chamber Choir since 2014, and I serve as the Director of Choral Activities at Trinity Western University. I work regularly with groups in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, including a brand-new initiative called Inspiro Choral. I can’t wait to get back to face-to-face rehearsals and touring across this amazing country, but, until then, I want to introduce you to some choral gems from some of the finest composers Canada has to offer.
Episode 1 (March 3, 2021)
“Songs Are Thoughts” by Lavinia Kell Parker
In our debut episode of “Repertoire Wednesday” we’ll take a look at “Songs Are Thoughts” by Lavinia Kell Parker. This is a beautifully evocative work with a timely message about the power of singing – the perfect way to begin the series! It’s well-suited to an advanced high school or university-level choir, and it requires an excellent pianist. Interesting lines, contrasting sections, and a combination of both English and Inuktitut texts. “Songs Are Thoughts” is a piece you’re going to want to consider programming on your next in-person concert.
“The Song My Paddle Sings” is featured on Seasons of Life and Landscape.
Episode 2 (March 10, 2021)
“The Song My Paddle Sings” by Matthew Emery
This week on “Repertoire Wednesday” we’ll take a look at “The Song My Paddle Sings” by Matthew Emery. This choral gem is a wonderful fusion of the composer’s trademark harmonic language with the iconic poetry of Pauline Johnson, whose birthday we celebrate on March 10! This piece is well-suited to an advanced high school or university-level choir, and it requires close attention to intonation, register shifts in the individual vocal lines, and text declamation. A great example of Emery’s impressive output, and the sort of piece that really resonates with singers and audiences alike.
Episode 3 (March 17, 2021)
“The Lake Isle of Innisfree” by Paul Aitken
This week on “Repertoire Wednesday” we’ll take a look at “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” by Paul Aitken. We celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this beautiful setting of a Yeats poem! Well-suited to a high school or adult community choir, this piece provides a great opportunity to work on phrasing and legato singing. Each voice part is given a chance to shine, and the piano part is enjoyable to play. “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” is available from Cypress Choral Music.
“Litany” is featured on In Good Company.
Episode 4 (March 24, 2021)
“Litany” by Jeff Enns
This week on “Repertoire Wednesday” we’ll take a look at “Litany” by the CCC’s Composer-in-Residence, Jeff Enns. A beautiful Lenten work, this is a setting of a Phineas Fletcher poem that church musicians might recognize from settings other by Orlando Gibbons and William Walton. It’s an intimate unaccompanied work and among Jeff’s earlier output. It has some wonderful challenges for the singers in terms of register shifts and the tuning of stacked chords, which is a trademark of the composer’s compositional style.
Episode 5 (March 31, 2021)
“Tabula Rasa” by Don Macdonald
This week on “Repertoire Wednesday” we’ll take a look at “Tabula Rasa” by BC composer, Don Macdonald. The Spanish poetry by Allison Girvan speaks of the limitless potential inherent in each child. Popular with singers and audiences alike, this piece requires sweeping phrases and sustained singing in the high and low registers. “Tabula Rasa” is featured on the CCC’s JUNO-nominated album, Sacred Reflections of Canada.
Episode 6 (April 7, 2021)
“In Paradisum” by Kathleen Allan
This week on “Repertoire Wednesday” we’ll take a look at “In Paradisum” by Kathleen Allan. This luminous work pairs a familiar Requiem text with English poetry by the composer herself. This is a powerful work featuring a folk-like soprano solo and expressive lines that evoke the sounds of the ocean. Cathrie Yuen (Trinity Western University, Vancouver Bach Choir, Inspiro) is our special guest this week to help unpack the music. “In paradisum” is featured on the CCC’s JUNO-nominated album, Sacred Reflections of Canada.
Episode 7 (April 14, 2021)
“I Cannot Dance” by Larry Nickel
This week on “Repertoire Wednesday” we’ll take a look at “I Cannot Dance” by Larry Nickel. This dramatic work is really a showpiece for an advanced choir, with wonderful Flamenco-inspired rhythms and jazzy harmonies. The text comes from 13th-century Catholic mystic, Mechthild of Magdeburg. Anna-Marie Ryan (CCC soprano and Inspiro Choral colleague) is our special guest this week to help unpack the music. “I Cannot Dance” is published by Cypress Choral Music.
Episode 8 (April 21, 2021)
“I Asked of God” by Emily Hiemstra
This week on “Repertoire Wednesday” we’ll take a look at “I Asked of God” by Emily Hiemstra (née Walker). This meditative piece will be a great one for your choir to work on listening, balance, and intonation. The text comes from iconic Canadian author, Lucy Maud Montgomery. CCC Artistic Director, Julia Davids joins Joel this week to help unpack the music. “I Asked of God” is featured on the CCC’s JUNO-nominated album, Sacred Reflections of Canada.
Episode 9 (April 28, 2021)
“Gloria” from Missa Pax by Tim Corlis
This week on “Repertoire Wednesday” we’ll take a look at the “Gloria” from Missa Pax by Tim Corlis. If you’re looking for a piece with a fantastic piano accompaniment that’s thrilling for the singers and listeners alike, look no further! Joel sits down with the composer to discuss his music. The individual movements of Missa Pax, including the Gloria, are published by Silent Dawn Publishing.
Episode 10 (May 5, 2021)
“Tread Softly” by Benjamin Bolden
This week on “Repertoire Wednesday” we’ll take a look at “Tread Softly” by Benjamin Bolden. This well-crafted work sets a text by W.B. Yeats about the fragility of tomorrow and the importance of caring for the next generation. Rob Workman (Vancouver Chamber Choir, Vancouver Bach Choir, Inspiro) is our special guest this week to help unpack the music. “Tread Softly” is published by Cypress Choral Music and is part of the CCC Series for Accomplished Choirs.
Episode 11 (May 12, 2021)
“Le pont Mirabeau” by Jeff Enns
This week on “Repertoire Wednesday” we’ll take a look at “Le pont Mirabeau” by CCC Composer-in-Residence, Jeff Enns. Jeff describes this as a “sonic rendering of an Impressionist painting” and it does not disappoint! Lush, expressive, and full of the composer’s trademark sonorities, “Le pont Mirabeau” is featured on the CCC’s album, Seasons of Life and Landscape.
Episode 12 (May 19, 2021)
“Peace Prayer” by Elise Letourneau
This week on “Repertoire Wednesday” we’ll take a look at “Peace Prayer” by Elise Letourneau. A blues-inflected setting of a familiar text, “Peace Prayer” is an accessible and appealing work. Carmen Hollett, an outstanding collaborative pianist who works with several choirs in BC’s Lower Mainland is our special guest this week to help unpack the music. “Peace Prayer” is published by Cypress Choral Music.
Episode 13 (May 26, 2021)
“i carry your heart” by Scott Reimer
This week on “Repertoire Wednesday” we’ll take a look at “i carry your heart” by Scott Reimer. A love song with words by E. E. Cummings, this is a gorgeous work for a university-level ensemble. CCC tenor and consummate musician, Scott Reimer joins Joel this week to help unpack the music. “i carry your heart” is published by Cypress Choral Music and is part of the CCC Series for Accomplished Choirs.
Episode 14 (June 2, 2021)
“O lumière bienheureuse” by Robert Ingari
This week on “Repertoire Wednesday” we’ll take a look at “O lumière bienheureuse” by Robert Ingari. With beautiful legato lines and luscious sustained harmonies, this is a great one for your choir to work on listening, balance, and intonation. “O lumière bienheureuse” is published by Cypress Choral Music as part of the French-language series, La Série Enchantée.
Episode 15 (June 9, 2021)
“Set Me as a Seal Upon Your Heart” by David Squires
This week on “Repertoire Wednesday” we’ll take a look at “Set Me as a Seal Upon Your Heart” by David Squires. A familiar Biblical passage often recited at weddings, this beautiful accompanied work provides the singers with wonderfully singable lines. Joel sits down with the composer to discuss the music.
Episode 16 (June 16, 2021)
“Voici mon secret” by George Chung
This week on “Repertoire Wednesday” we’ll take a look at “Voici mon secret” by George Chung. George’s score is the perfect compact musical counterpart to this beautiful text by Antoine de St. Exupéry. Another great title from the Cypress French-language collection, La Série Enchantée.
Episode 17 (June 23, 2021)
“Vision Chant” by Andrew Balfour
This week on “Repertoire Wednesday” we celebrate Indigenous People’s Day by taking a look at “Vision Chant” by Andrew Balfour. Joel sits down with the composer to discuss this remarkable piece that will take your singers and audience members on a sonic and spiritual journey. “Vision Chant” is published by Cypress Choral Music and is featured on the CCC’s album, Seasons of Life and Landscape.
Episode 18 (July 7, 2021)
“The Maple” by Garrett Krause
This week on “Repertoire Wednesday” we’ll take a look at “The Maple” by Garrett Krause. CCC Artistic Director, Julia Davids joins Joel this week to help unpack the music. With evocative imagery from the great outdoors, this piece celebrates Canada’s national tree. Featured on the CCC’s album, Seasons of Life and Landscape, “The Maple” is published by Cypress Choral Music as part of the CCC Series for Accomplished Choirs.
Episode 19 (July 14, 2021)
“Shall I Compare Thee?” by Leora Joy Perrie
This week on “Repertoire Wednesday” we’ll take a look at “Shall I Compare Thee?” by Leora Joy Perrie. Joel and Julia sit down to discuss this wonderfully eclectic piece. Featured on the CCC’s album, Seasons of Life and Landscape, “Shall I Compare Thee?” is published by Cypress Choral Music as part of the CCC Series for Accomplished Choirs.
Episode 20 (July 21, 2021)
“The Lord Is My Shepherd” by Sid Robinovitch
For the final episode of “Repertoire Wednesday” we’ll take a look at “The Lord Is My Shepherd” by Sid Robinovitch. Joel reflects on some of the ups and downs from the past year and shares how music has been a source of comfort through this difficult time. “The Lord Is My Shepherd” is published by Cypress Choral Music and is featured on the JUNO-nominated CCC album, Sacred Reflections of Canada.
Each of these featured pieces are published by Cypress Choral Music as part of the Canadian Chamber Choir Series for Accomplished Choirs.
This series made possible with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the SOCAN Foundation.