Vancouver Chamber Choir composer-in-residence Andrew Balfour conducts Waawaa-Steewak, October 20

Balfour’s Cree heritage-inspired piece is accompanied by Manuel de Sumaya’s De lamentatione Jeremiae, and Gerónimo Gonzales’s Lamentación de Jeremías

SPONSORED POST BY Vancouver Chamber Choir

Andrew Balfour.

October brings the first guest artist of the season to Vancouver Chamber Choir as it introduces its 2023-24 composer-in-residence Andrew Balfour.

Balfour wears multiple hats in the upcoming concert Waawaa-Steewak on October 20 at 7:30 pm at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church. He is guest conductor, curator, and composer for the program that draws on his Cree heritage.

Waawaa-Steewak, composed by Balfour, means “northern lights” in Cree. This work is juxtaposed with music of the Renaissance, including Mexican composer Manuel de Sumaya’s De lamentatione Jeremiae, and 1600s Portuguese composer Gerónimo Gonzales’s Lamentación de Jeremías, as well as additional music by Balfour.

The lineup spotlights the talents of violist Emily Eng; organist Christina Hutten, a regular performer with the Pacific Baroque Orchestra; and guest artist Cheri Maracle, a Six Nations of the Grand River-born singer-actress.

Tickets to Waawaa-Steewak, plus more details on all the concerts in the Vancouver Chamber Choir’s stacked 2023-24 season, can be found here.

Post sponsored by Vancouver Chamber Choir.