Brandon University and University of Regina choirs present A Choral Celebration

Choirs from Brandon University (BU) and the University of Regina (U of R) will come together for a Choral Celebration on Sunday, Jan. 26 in Brandon.

The concert, featuring the Brandon University Chorale, and the University of Regina Choir, will feature both single and double-choir works. It will begin at 2 p.m., at Knox United Church, at 451 18^th Street.

Under the direction of Dr. Andrée Dagenais of BU and Dr. Melissa Morgan of U of R, this performance will bring a colourful mosaic of European and Canadian repertoire, including J. Brahms, Frank Martin, Glenn Gould and Andrew Balfour, among other composers. A string quartet of master’s students from Brandon University’s School of Music will collaborate with the BU Chorale. The performance will also feature BU’s own student composer, Philip Lauter, in a composition entitled Moonlight. This composition by Lauter has become a choir’s and audience favourite.  

“Making music with peers from a different university is a rare occasion,” Dr. Dagenais said. “To spend a weekend in rehearsals together is an opportunity for students to sharpen their skills and network.”

In the past, the BU Chorale has shared rehearsals with peer students on three continents, however, this is only the second time they have hosted another university choir. In 2017, the Chamber Choir from North Dakota State University -Fargo collaborated with BU choral ensembles.

Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for ages 13 to 18 years, and free for 12 and under. Tickets will be available at the door.

About the choirs:

Dr. Melissa Morgan is a choral conductor, educator, speaker, and vocalist from Regina. She is the Department Head of Music and Director of Choral Activities in the faculty of Media, Arts, and Performance at the University of Regina. Her responsibilities include conducting the auditioned Chamber Singers, and the non-auditioned Concert Choir in addition to teaching courses in choral conducting and serving on several university committees. Dr. Morgan is also the music director of the Campion College, Musica Sacra music series. An active conductor, her choirs have performed and toured in Halls such as Lincoln Centre, of New York and Cadogan Hall, London England. She is frequently asked to serve as a clinician, and guest conductor with choirs throughout North America. 

Brandon University Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Andrée Dagenais, is a chamber choir consisting of voice majors and instrumentalists in performance, music education and research programs. Some achievements of the ensemble include performing with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, at the Winnipeg New Music Festival, with BU Orchestra, Brandon Chamber Players, Vancouver Chamber Choir, Musica Intima and Spirit Sand Singers. Tours include North Dakota (2023), Manitoba (2019), Northwest Ontario (2015), the Baltic countries (2014), Cuba (2010) and France (2008). BU Chorale was selected to perform for the National Choral Conference, Podium, in 2016 in Edmonton.

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