Jake Runestad Workshop

Amidst Spiritus’ participation in the Kantorei Choral Festival held from April 12 to 16, 2023, we were granted the privilege of a ‘one-on-group’ workshop with renowned American composer, Jake Runestad at the Bela Concert Hall, Mount Royal Campus in Calgary. Photos by Bob Serrano

Jake Runestad’s animated, no-holds-barred teaching style proved both enlightening and inspirational as he brought fresh insights into the spirit behind two of his works which we tackled that day—*And So I Go On* and Alleluia.

A parting group hug with the conductor capped a wonderful afternoon of learning and sharing life stories relating to the conductor’s own personal experiences that frame his compositions.

Light

Sunday, 04 December 2022, Spiritus presented its Christmas Concert entitled Light. Inspired by a quote from Madeleine L'Engle’s book, A Ring of Endless Light that goes, “Maybe you have to know the darkness before you can appreciate the light.” The repertoire took the audience on a musical journey ‘from dark to light’—echoing how the Christmas story brought light and hope to a once dark world.

Special thanks to Victor Panlilio Photography.

Second half opens with *Joy To The World* (arr. by John Rutter) accompanied by **Colin Redekop** and special guest trumpeter **Jay Michalak** on obligato.

Artistic Director, **Andrea Ciona** welcoming everyone to the concert.

*The Lord Is My Strength and My Song* (Händel) duet with sopranos **Amanda Hillestad** & **Catherine Lippitt**

*Winter Song* (Bareilles/Michaelson) with trio ensemble of **Kim Reinhart**, **Joanna Henry** and **Dawn Coulter**

*Es is ein Ros entsprungen* (Prætorius) with quartet **Bri Harvie** (soprano), **Boyd Hansen** (tenor), **Bryan Hryciw** (bass) and **Taylor Berry** (alto)

Choir opens with *Hodie Christus Natus Est* (Owolabi) with split choruses on opposite lofts

Spiritus President, **Katt Hryciw** with opening remarks

*Sieben Antiphone* (Miškinis) quartet with **Joanna Henry** (soprano), **Nathan Severson-Baker** (bass), **Vlad Amiot** (tenor) and **Donna Ruparell** (alto)

Chant

Last Friday, November 20, 2022, Spiritus joined String Theory Music Collective and Calgary Children’s Choir (Artistic Director, Kathryn Berko) in a concert inspired by the human impulse to create music for healing and connection. The short program which was performed at the Calgary Central Library was open to the public and featured an original composition—Papiatik—by Cree-Dene Songmaker Sherryl Sewepagaham and Andrea Neumann. Photos courtesy of Victor Panlilio Photography.

Spiritus with the Calgary Children’s Choir and String Theory in their rendition of *Cantilena* by Carl Jenkins.

Calgary Children’s Choir with Spiritus’ **Bryan Hryciw** on djembe

Cree-Dene Songmaker **Sherryl Sewepagaham**

Curtain call. Left flank—**Mary Sullivan**, flutist, **Andrea Neumann** 1st Violin, String Theory Music Collective; Centre front, L to R, **Andrea Ciona**, **Sherryl Sewepagaham**, **Kathryn Berko**; Calgary Children’s Choir and Spiritus Chamber Choir on risers.

Truth & Reconciliation Workshop

For two chilly days in February, Spiritus sequestered themselves at the cSPACE King Edward and embarked on a very private journey of truth and reconciliation. This exercise was led by singer/songwriter Leela Gilday, accompanied by Blackfoot Elder Saakokoto, known to many as Randy Bottle. The journey involved an immersion in Blackfoot traditions as told through stories, as they had been passed on for generations, while gathered in a circle.

There was a lot of sharing, listening and soul searching as the group grappled with issues surrounding personal biases and beliefs that were passed on through our individual life experiences. This workshop was created in the larger context of group musical composition with influences derived from what the group learned through the stories they heard. The group, which was divided into four subgroups, were each tasked with composing original lyrics and music. As a recap, a sweetgrass smudge—a ceremonial braid of dried herbs that symbolize purification and healing—was passed around and each one was given a chance to share what they had learned.

Yellowknife Tour

The coolest airport sculpture greeted us on our arrival.

Timothy Shantz, Spiritus Artistic Director, coaching Carson Moore (soloist) on nuances for "Frobisher Bay".

Margo Nightingale, Artistic Director for Aurora Chorealis

Our first rehearsal at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Yellowknife

Soprano and alto sections rehearsing "Blades"—the challenging third movement of Carmen Braden's "The Ice Seasons".

Aurora Chorealis, the Yellowknife Choral Society, joins Spiritus in a joint rehearsal at the Calvary Community Church.

Aurora Chorealis joins Spiritus as they envelope the audience in a glorious performance of Northern Lights by Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds, replete with chimes and tuned water goblets to provide atmosphere. — Aurora Chorealis joins Spiritus as they envelope the audience in a glorious performance of *Northern Lights* by Latvian composer Ēriks *Ešenvalds, replete with chimes and tuned water goblets to provide atmosphere.*

Carmen Braden introduces "The Ice Seasons" before its Yellowknife premier, explaining how each of the six movements represent the six different states of water and ice, as the six-member string ensemble look on.

Just one of the many larger-than-life sculptures surrounding the Snow Castle courtyard.

Spiritus performs a short program as they squeeze their way on stage in the Snow Castle surrounded by onlookers. This definitely qualifies as the top three of the most unusual venues the choir has ever performed in.

One cannot possibly leave the Snow Castle without a selfie with the indefatigable Snow King,

Spiritus joined by composer Carmen Braden and members of the string ensemble, pose for a group shot at the famous Snow Palace.

Spiritus gets a luminous photo op with the northern lights providing an incomparable backdrop. Photo by Bill Braden.

Spiritus 2017 Banff Choral Rehearsal Workshop

Deer forage in the snow right outside the Rolston Recital Hall at the Banff Centre for the Arts as Spiritus is about to dive into their 2017 Banff Workshop/Rehearsal.

Artistic Director, Timothy Shantz welcomes Spiritus to the workshop.

Spiritus warms up for a grueling day of rehearsal, polishing pieces for their upcoming recordings and learning new music for their upcoming concert, Ice and Fire where they will be premiering a new work by composer Carmen Braden. — Spiritus warms up for a grueling day of rehearsal, polishing pieces for their upcoming recordings and learning new music for their upcoming concert, *Ice and Fire* where they will be premiering a new work by composer Carmen Braden.

The choir takes a short walk toward the Vistas Dining Hall for lunch break

The spectacular view right outside the Vistas Dining Hall

The workshop resumes with the learning of soon-to-be-premiered work, The Ice Seasons by Carmen Braden — The workshop resumes with the learning of soon-to-be-premiered work, *The Ice Seasons* by Carmen Braden

Composer Carmen Braden sits in on rehearsal for the premier of her magnum opus The Ice Seasons — Composer Carmen Braden sits in on rehearsal for the premier of her magnum opus *The Ice Seasons*

Carmen takes careful notes as she hears her composition come to life during first reading

Back to the Rolston Recital Hall for the second half of the workshop.

Even the simple walk back to rehearsal offers breathtaking eye candy

Composer, Carmen Braden discusses executional nuances with Spiritus Artistic Director, Timothy Shantz

No Banff workshop would be complete without the requisite group shot to mark yet another important milestone in Spiritus Chamber Choir's journey toward choral excellence.

Photography by Bob Serrano