Spring Choral Fest 2006

Choral singing is alive and well in New Brunswick. That was the realization of hundreds of people who filled Christ Church Cathedral to capacity last Sunday afternoon.

The occasion was the 25th Anniversary Concert of the N.B. Choral Federations's "Spring Choral Fest". After only two days of rehearsals, about 100 choristers from throughout the province presented a most sparkling performance of Mozart's "Coronation Mass in C Major", and the world premiere of a new choral composition by Michael Capon, formerly of Fredericton, titled "My Life Flows On", set to a poem by Robert Lowery.

The week-end "Fest" was under the leadership of Dr. George Evelyn, one of Canada's most sought-after choral conductors from the University of Lethbridge; and the guest soloist in both works was New Brunswick's own Wendy Nielsen, soprano.

The afternoon program began with the 20 auditioned members of Fredericton's Bel Canto Singers, offering several short selections from both the distant past and the present. Bel Canto means "beautiful song", and under their director, Dr. Tim Cooper, they produced some gorgeous sounds with a lovely flow and clean articulation.

The second group to perform was the UNB Chorale, made up largely of students and staff members from the University communities. Led by Bjorn Runefors, the ensemble's youthful exuberance made their renditions of several Swedish songs both interesting and exciting.

The Grand Finale of the concert and the weekend's activities was the performance of the massed choir in the compositions of Capon and Mozart. Michael Capon's choral essay for soprano solo and choir proved to be a real challenge. The choir received little support from the organ accompaniment and the words of the poem were totally obscured by the rhythmic and harmonic complexities in the music. Miss Nielsen tried valiantly to hold the performance together, but this ambitious work required more than the allotted two days of rehearsal.

Mozart's Mass in C Major K317, written in 1779 and nicknamed "Coronation Mass" because of its association with the annual ceremony of crowning the miracle-working statue of the Virgin Mary near Salzburg, was a real tour de force. Its performance was rewarded with a standing ovation. The opening Kyrie for chorus and solo voices was dynamic and invigorating. The Gloria, too, with its outbursts from the choir and organ was most dramatic. The "Et Incarnatus est" from the Credo of the Mass was eloquently sung by the four soloists in the quartet: Miss Nielsen, soprano; Carolyn Nielsen, alto; David Steeves, tenor: and David Perritt, bass. The Sanctus and the Agnus Dei were equally appealing with their contrasting moods of loftiness and quieter moments.

Dr. Evelyn's conducting was direct and stimulating, and his leadership enabled the choristers to provide a fitting climax, not just for the Mozart Coronation Mass but also for the entire weekend of music making.

Organ accompaniment was provided by Michael Molloy of Saint John, while Dr. Paul Murray acted as rehearsal accompanist.

The New Brunswick Choral Federation also conducted its Annual Meeting during the weekend proceedings, and Marilyn Lewell of Fredericton was elected the new president for a two-year term. She succeeds Lynda Scott-Mills of Sackville. Others on the new executive are: Donita Tompkins of Woodstock, Vice-president; Robert Taylor of Rothesay, Treasurer; and Carolyn Keirstead of Riverview, Secretary.

Next year the 26th annual Spring Choral Fest will be held in Moncton, and Mrs. Lewell remarked, "with growing membership from throughout the province, we anticipate another wonderful weekend of choral singing and musical accomplishment next March."

Submitted by Bill and Carolyn Turney

Last updated: 4/20/06

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