This Sunday on Choral Concert the program is entirely dedicated to chant in all its forms, from early Gregorian chant right up to the here and now. The featured concert is from Camerata Nova presenting a program called Chant! It’s a concert of vocal chants rooted in Corsica, Norway, Italy, France and Ukraine, to name just a few.
Andrew Balfour is founder and Artistic Director of Camerata Nova. For Camerata Nova’s encore, Andrew wrote a chant about the Winnipeg Jets that is a combination of two passions. He had no idea it would be this popular.
CBC Music spoke to Balfour about his Jets chant.
“I have always loved hockey, the game, the iconic Canadian story and legend that captivates so many minds and hearts. As a Winnipegger I have followed the Jets, even though 'my' team has always been the Montreal (Canadians). Growing up here and loving hockey, I have a special place in my hockey heart for our beloved Jets. True civic pride!!
"This last April was a watershed for our city with the return of the Jets, and I have never seen the city so full of joy for a sporting team.
"At the same time, I have always loved chant. When I was nine, I started to sing in the Men & Boys choir at All Saints Anglican Church in Winnipeg, and a large part of that musical commitment was chanting psalms, every Sunday.
"When we went to England on summer choir tours, chanting psalms was one of the musical highlights, and I shall never forget the feeling of starting a chant in a beautiful cathedral.
"This chant, written for and performed by Camerata Nova is a celebration of the return of a team that has captured the hearts and minds of hockey fans everywhere.”
Go Jets Go!!!!
Related links:
Winnipeg Jets’ Jim Slater scores on WSO podium
Camerata Nova performs in Ottawa
In Concert quiz: Achtung Baby
Edmund Milly hopes for runaway success