August 23, 2024 – Calgary, AB – The Canadian Chamber Choir (CCC) is excited to announce the worldwide release of their fourth album, Where Waters Meet, on September 6, 2024 – a collaboration with Edmonton-based Cree-Dene singer and composer Sherryl Sewepagaham featuring music by Sewepagaham, Carmen Braden, and Hussein Janmohamed, along with poetry by Yolanda Bonnell.
The album borrows its name from a five-movement work the CCC commissioned from Braden back in 2017, which became a pivotal vehicle for learning and connecting with Indigenous artists during the years that followed.
The album’s liner notes explain, “Where Waters Meet is an Indigenous/settler partnership built on friendship, deep respect and admiration, and the desire to communicate through our shared sung medium. It is a culmination of several joint projects in different regions of Canada over the course of many years. The album serves as a narrative that explores the vital theme of water through the power of music, acting as a conduit for reflection, connection, and advocacy.”
The CCC’s interpretations of the compositions featured on Where Waters Meet evolved organically as the artists listened, asked questions, and responded in relationship with each other. One track, “In Local News, Water”, even involves a research component, in which Braden requires the performer to find a news story about water localized to where each performance of the work will be held, and then sing it in the style of a newscast. As recording sessions took place in Ontario, the CCC secured permission from the Toronto Star to amplify a 2022 report entitled “‘Disrespected, violated, contaminated’: Researcher says safe drinking water shouldn’t fall solely on the backs of Indigenous peoples.”
“The album considers water as a symbol of a parallel journey—reminding us of life and lives, serving as a call for action, and acting as a conduit for change,” continue the liner notes. “The synergy of Sherryl Sewepagaham’s powerful musical perspective with the CCC’s versatile choral colours has resulted in a unique musical reflection of their journey together.”
Solo pieces written and performed by Sewepagaham are nestled around each movement of Where Waters Meet, mirroring the way in which Braden’s contemporary choral suite has been performed live during the CCC’s past tours with Sewepagaham and other artists, including Dene fiddler Wesley Hardisty and Mi’kmaw drummer/singer Aaron Prosper.
The album closes with “Nipîy (Water Song)”, composed by Sewepagaham and performed with the CCC in Woodland Cree, Y-Dialect. The CCC commissioned the piece in 2019 with assistance from the SOCAN Foundation and worked with Sewepagaham to learn and refine the language pronunciation over a number of tours throughout 2022 and 2023.
“My first residency with the Canadian Chamber Choir was the first time a choir and I have worked together so intently and thoroughly on the Cree language and sound in a musical piece,” recalls Sewepagaham. “I collectively experienced goosebumps, euphoria, and overwhelming pride when I heard it… It brought me to tears.”
The feeling was mutual, and Davids and the CCC singers shared a deep desire to commemorate their time together. By mid-2023, the idea for an album had begun to take shape and the perfect opportunity came during a day off in Kingston, Ontario during their July 2023 tour.
“We really endeavoured to capture the magic of live performance with Sherryl, and I think the recording has a luminous, present, and immediate feel,” says Davids. “The beauty of our shared experiences and combined voices is amplified by the brilliant acoustics of the Jennifer Velva Bernstein Performance Hall at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts.”
The album’s 12 tracks are supported by an equally significant visual identity. Custom artwork was commissioned from Dene painter John Rombough in 2019, in commemoration of the world premiere of Where Waters Meet in Braden’s hometown of Yellowknife. The CCC even got to perform an excerpt for him when he stopped by one of their rehearsals to deliver the finished canvas.
“Everything on the album is the product of relationships and intentional, respectful collaboration and shared regard and love for water and music,” says Davids.
Another full-circle moment took place in February 2024, when the CCC and Sewepagaham performed “Nipîy (Water Song)” for Sewepagaham’s relatives during a tour stop in Calgary.
“The resounding benefit of that care and attention to detail resulted in a stellar performance and positive feedback on pronunciation from my Cree family in attendance,” shares Sewepagaham. “I hope listeners of this album and choirs will notice how the inclusion and amplification of the Cree language in choral performance is beautifully possible and absolutely timely in Western choral arts.”
To celebrate the release, the CCC and Sewepagaham will head to Ontario for an album release tour from September 6 to 16, 2024, performing in Toronto, Huntsville, North Bay, Kagawong, and Owen Sound. This tour will provide audiences with an opportunity to experience the music live and engage with the themes of the album in person.
Where Waters Meet will be available on all major streaming platforms and for purchase starting September 6, 2024. The album serves as both a celebration and a call to action, urging communities to recognize the beauty and necessity of preserving water resources and Indigenous languages for generations to come.
Apple Music • Spotify • YouTube Music • Bandcamp
RESOURCES
- Onesheet: Click here to view a onesheet listing the album tracks and catalogue information.
- Press Photos: Click here to access high-resolution images of the artists
- Album Packaging & Liner Notes: Click here to view the album booklet and production credits.
BIOGRAPHIES
- Sherryl Sewepagaham
Sherryl Sewepagaham, a dynamic Cree-Dene artist from Little Red River Cree Nation, Northern Alberta, blends her heritage with artistry, composition, and education. She is a doctoral student in ethnomusicology and devoted over two decades to music education from kindergarten to grade 6, infusing Indigenous musical traditions. Her compositions enrich Cree narratives celebrated in national choir commissions and international performances with the acclaimed trio, Asani. - Canadian Chamber Choir
The JUNO-nominated Canadian Chamber Choir (CCC) is Canada’s only professional choir with national representation. Led by Julia Davids (Artistic Director) and Joel Tranquilla (Associate Conductor), it is comprised of singers from Newfoundland and Labrador to British Columbia to the Northwest Territories. The CCC creates, celebrates, and communicates Canadian identity through choral performance and education, and it is passionate about building community through choral singing. For more information about the Canadian Chamber Choir, please visit canadianchamberchoir.ca.