Vancouver’s Elektra Women’s Choir was thrilled to be one of two Canadian choirs (and the only one from BC!) invited to perform at the 11th World Symposium on Choral Music in Barcelona this past July. We asked them to send us a little something to commemorate the event.

According to Artistic Director Morna Edmundson, it was an incredible affirmation to be invited back 21 years after the choir’s first international performances for the 4th World Symposium in Sydney, Australia.

“I’ve attended many World Symposia as a delegate, and it’s always a great energy boost to experience choral music in so many distinct forms, influenced by language and culture and tradition,” she explained. “It feels liberating to realize how many compelling approaches there are in the same art form.”

Elektra performed in two of Barcelona’s outstanding concert halls: the Palau de la Música Catalana, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site, and the crystal clear L’Auditori, as well as an historic church in the Gracia district.

“I have to say that deciding what repertoire to take was a daunting task over the past year.  I changed my mind many times!” said Edmundson. “As a treble choir, both children’s and adult women’s choir conductors would be listening for music they might perform themselves.  Especially because the Toronto Children’s Chorus was also offering treble repertoire, I geared our program to “grown up” texts and works, taking advantage of the span of ages in Elektra and the impact that has on the listening experience.”

In addition to living composers Kathleen Allan, Abbie Betinis, Kris Fulton, György Orbán, Sarah Quartel, and Stephen Smith, Elektra’s program included singer/songwriters Joni Mitchell (arr. Kate MacColl), Jane Siberry (arr. Beth Hanson), and The Wailin’ Jennys.

“Then I wanted masterpieces by Schubert and Rachmaninoff in there, too, because this is essential repertoire,” she added. “We also premiered a very funny piece by Finland’s Jaakko Mäntyjärvi!”

To read more about Elektra’s tour experiences, visit www.elektra.ca.